NATO chief Stoltenberg says Russia-China cooperation in Arctic poses challenge to alliance

Arctic cooperation between Russia and China, according to North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, poses a strategic threat to alliance's principles and objectives. 30-nation alliance faces a strategic challenge as a result of Russia's capacity to obstruct Allied reinforcements across North Atlantic, according to Stoltenberg.

NATO chief wrote in an article published in Canian newspaper Globe and Mail, "Russia has significantly increased its military activity in recent years, setting up a new Arctic Command, opening hundreds of new and former Soviet-era Arctic military sites, including airfields and deep-water ports, and using region as test-bed for novel weapon system."

According to Stoltenberg, China is also enlarging its influence in area and has declared itself a "near-Arctic state" with plans to build a "Polar Silk Ro" through Arctic to connect it to Europe. Beijing and Moscow promised to step up ir practical Arctic cooperation earlier this year as part of a growing strategic partnership that challenges our values and interests, according to article from NATO Secretary General.

Sweden, Finland joining NATO would improve alliance's position: Stoltenberg

In dition, Stoltenberg said that Sweden and Finland joining NATO would significantly improve alliance's position in far North.  official participation of Helsinki and Stockholm in NATO's strategic planning and potential use of ir territories for deployment of strike weapons would alter security landscape in Baltic region and Arctic, according to Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu, and would necessitate a rethinking of strategies for defending Russian territory.

In June, leers of NATO agreed to a bro strategic framework for next dece that focusses on Russia's "direct threat" and declares China a security challenge for first time. alliance, which h appeared to be faltering in recent years, pledged a renewed and revamped approach to its defence and deterrence capabilities during "transformative" summit in Mrid, moving to strengn its forces along bloc's eastern flank.

NATO also formally invited Sweden and Finland to join alliance, which share maritime and land borders with Russia, respectively. NATO members also pledged to continue ir support for Ukraine in aftermath of Russia's invasion, to come to aid of or members in event of an attack, and to establish a collective process to maintain a "technological edge" in an increasingly complex global environment.

Image: AP