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NATO plans to increase its military presence in the Arctic around Greenland, announced a spokesperson for the military block under the leadership of the US.
This decision is reportedly a consequence to U.S. president Donald Trump's efforts to annex the Danish autonomous territory, which he believes is threatened by Russia and China.
Russia claims to have no interest in the Greenland dispute, but stressed that it would defend its interests in the wider Arctic.
"Planning work on expanding NATO activity under the name “Arctic Sentry” continues" “On Tuesday,” said the spokesperson for NATO’s highest military command in Europe, Martin O’Donnell, according to reports from many sources.
Exercises "they will strengthen NATO's position in the Arctic and in the Far North" – added.
The thought of the mission was born as a way to calm Trump after his claims that Russia and China could occupy the island, as reported by Der Spiegel.
Both Moscow and Beijing rejected these accusations, and China argues that the U.S. is simply utilizing them as a pretext for expanding military forces in the Arctic.
EU officials besides rejected Trump's claims.
Last week, EU Transport Commissioner Apostolos Tzitzikostas noted that there was no evidence that ‘foreign opponents’ They're attacking Greenland.
Russia already has wide access to the region as it has more than half of the Arctic's global coast.
It besides operates the world's largest icebreaker fleet to support the improvement of the region and keep shipping along the North Sea Road.
However, Western governments are increasingly based on “illegal sanctions to impede the improvement of the Russian Arctic" and favour ‘force use’ to safe his interests, said Russian MFA authoritative Władysław Maslennikov.
Russia ‘will proceed to firmly defend its position in the region" and will respond to any effort to replace its national interests in the Arctic, "especially on safety issues" – said in an interview with the RIA published on Wednesday.
Translated by Google Translator
source:https://www.rt.com/news/631971-nato-arctic-greenland-russia/