WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — Breedlove explained that while he does not believe any member state of the international Arctic Council is seeking to turn the Arctic into a conflict zone, "our opponent decided to militarize the Arctic."
"I think this [deterring Russia in the Arctic] is, again, a discussion of do we have the appropriate capabilities of all manner — aircraft, icebreakers, other things — and do we have capacities," Breedlove said. "And that is work that is being looked at right now."
In late 2015, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister stated that Russia does not intend to militarize the Arctic, but create favorable conditions in the region for life and commerce.
A major component of Russia’s peacetime military investment this year will be funding infrastructure and military facilities in its Arctic territory.
