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New US Policy in Arctic Aimed at Turning Region Into Battlefield - Moscow

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo revealed earlier this month that the United States would boost its military presence in the Arctic region and create a new senior military post for Arctic affairs to counter “Russia's activities in the Northern Sea”.
Sputnik

The Arctic Council senior official, Nikolai Korchunov, said on Thursday that the new US policy in the Arctic region aims to transform the region into "a battlefield".    

Addressing the recent accusations against Russia's "aggressive behaviour" in the Arctic, Korchunov said that such statements are absurd and ungrounded.    

READ MORE: US to Have Year-Round Presence in Arctic ‘Soon' With New Ice Breakers — Bolton

Korchunov added that it was no coincidence that Washington is laying emphasis on military methods and increasing military spending on the Arctic, noting that it undermines trust and multilateral cooperation in the region.    

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The official pointed out that Moscow favours developing international partnership so that the Arctic region can remain peaceful.    

The diplomat went on to say that Russia was pursuing an open, consistent policy in the region, based on the norms of international law, with a broad agenda for international cooperation in the interests of sustainable development, which includes the United States. 

On Wednesday, US National Security Adviser John Bolton said that Washington is eyeing a persistent year-round presence in the Arctic regions once its new polar ice breakers are in service. Bolton added that the Coast Guard will help the United States challenge the growing Russian military influence in the Arctic and push back against China's illegitimate claim to near Arctic status, as well as its use of "debt diplomacy" against Arctic nations.      

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