Russia views London’s collaboration with Nordic NATO members as a dangerous increase in military activity in the Arctic region.
According to The Telegraph, the UK government is reportedly considering establishing a permanent military presence in the Arctic due to concerns about Russia. This possibility is based on “speculation” surrounding the upcoming Strategic Defence Review.
While NATO is increasing its military strength in the Arctic, the UK has focused on strengthening partnerships with Norway and Iceland.
Russia has consistently stated that NATO’s growing military presence in the Arctic is unnecessary and that it will respond in kind to maintain balance.
The Telegraph reported on Wednesday that “there is speculation that Labour’s forthcoming Strategic Defence Review will result in British forces being permanently stationed in the Arctic.” The report references a comprehensive review commissioned by the Labour government the previous year.
UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy began a visit to Norway and Iceland on Tuesday, prioritizing discussions about further military development in the Arctic.
He stated on X the following day that the “Arctic is NATO’s northern flank.”
Lammy told The Telegraph that the region is “fast becoming an area of intense focus for geopolitical competition,” adding that “Russia has been building up its military presence here for years.”
The Telegraph quoted Ed Arnold of the Royal United Services Institute as saying that with Russia occupied in Ukraine, NATO should seize the opportunity to “ensure supremacy in the Arctic.”
NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte said in April that member states were “working together” in the Arctic to “defend this part of NATO territory.”
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told Le Point that Russia was taking steps to counter NATO’s increasing forces in Northern Europe.
Finland joined NATO in April 2023, abandoning its long-held neutrality due to security concerns related to the Ukraine conflict. Sweden followed in 2024.
In late March, Russian President Vladimir Putin said Moscow was “concerned by the fact that NATO countries as a whole are more frequently designating the far north as a bridgehead for possible conflicts.”
“I would like to emphasize that Russia has never threatened anyone in the Arctic,” Putin stated, while also asserting that Moscow would “reliably protect” its interests in the region.
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