WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — Russia is currently the world’s most advanced nation in developing Arctic military infrastructure, according to the US Defense Department assessment made in July.
"We watch military activities with a great deal of concern, but I’ve seen nothing at this point that gives me anything to overreact on." Papp said on Tuesday. "Everything that I’ve seen Russia doing appears to be defensive in nature, not trying to upset the balance in the Arctic, so while we watch developments with a concern, we are not overly concerned."
Therefore, Papp said there is no need for any new agreements between the United States and Russia.
In 2013, Moscow announced a strategy to increase its presence in the Arctic and to boost the region's development by 2020. In 2015, Russian President Vladimir Putin approved a revised maritime doctrine, prioritizing the protection of national interests in the Arctic.
Russia has been stepping up its military, trade and exploration activities in the Arctic region. It has been building transport and energy production infrastructure, as well as installing military facilities and developing the Northern Sea Route linking Europe to Asia.
The importance of the Arctic region has been increasing in recent years as the melting of the region’s sea ice has opened the possibility for further exploration of petroleum reserves in the area, as well as for navigation through the Northern Sea Route.
