"We assume that we should have all options for foreign policy maneuvering, including withdrawal from the Arctic Council if its activities do not meet Russian interests," Korchunov said.
The council is functioning "at its lowest capacity," the diplomat said. Norway, which currently chairs the organization, is trying to restart its work in a full format, but is not finding support among the other council members, he added.
The rotation of the Chair countries takes place every two years. The chairmanship passed to Russia in May 2021. In March 2022, the Western member countries of the council announced the suspension of participation in any events of the association in protest against Russian special military operation in Ukraine. In May 2023, Norway assumed the presidency of the Council.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov in turn said on Tuesday, commenting on the participation in the Arctic Council that decisions on Russia’s withdrawal from any organizations can be made if the participation in them ceases to meet the interests of the country.
"Russia is still maintaining its work there. Of course, if participation in some organization ceases to correspond to the interests of Russia, if Russia ceases to consider this organization effective, fair and appropriate for membership, then, of course, special decisions can be made," Peskov told reporters.