Russia warns NATO's Arctic buildup threatens regional stability

MOSCOW, Aug. 13 (Xinhua) -- NATO is militarizing the Arctic and strengthening its offensive potential near Russia's northern borders, Vladislav Maslennikov, director of the Russian Foreign Ministry's Department for European Affairs, said Thursday.

Maslennikov made the remarks during the 4th Arctic-Regions Forum in Russia's Arkhangelsk.

"Large-scale exercises are regularly held in the region, aimed at rehearsing offensive scenarios, among other things, and non-Arctic member states of the alliance are actively involved in these activities," he said.

Maslennikov added that any attempt to resolve issues in the Arctic without Russia's participation are futile and Moscow will continue promoting regional peace and stability.

In February, NATO launched the Arctic Sentry, a multi-domain military enhanced Vigilance Activity designed to coordinate surveillance, troops and exercises across the Arctic and High North.

Prior to that, NATO expanded the area of responsibility of its Joint Force Command Norfolk to include Denmark, Finland and Sweden, reflecting the alliance's growing focus on security in the Arctic and North Atlantic.

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko has also noted that the Arctic must remain a region of low tension and Russia is doing everything to ensure it.

The development strategy for Russia's Arctic zone through 2050 is expected to be approved by the end of summer, said Mikhail Kuznetsov, director of the Eastern State Planning Center. Enditem