North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) leaders warned about Russia and China’s interest in the Arctic

On August 26th, it was reported that NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg warned of Russia’s military buildup in the Arctic and Communist China’s growing interest in the region.

During a visit to northern Canada, Stoltenberg said the shortest path for Russian missiles and bombers to reach North America was through the skies over the Arctic. Russia has created a new Arctic Command and opened hundreds of new and former Soviet-era Arctic military bases, including airfields and deep-water ports.

Stoltenberg said that, we have seen a major increase in Russia’s armaments expansion, with new bases, new weapons systems, and the use of the High North (Arctic territory and waters)) as a test stand for its most advanced weapons, including hypersonic missiles.

Stoltenberg also noted that China has declared itself a near-Arctic state, that Beijing plans to build the world’s largest icebreaker and is spending tens of billions of dollars on energy, infrastructure and research projects in the north.

Stoltenberg said that Beijing and Moscow are also committed to strengthening practical cooperation in the Arctic, which forms part of a deepening strategic partnership that challenges NATO’s values and interests.

Stoltenberg was accompanied by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau who showcased some of Canada’s military spending and activities in the north, including a pledge to allocate billions of dollars for new military equipment and capabilities, such as plans to buy new fighter jets and modernize North America’s aging NORAD early-warning system with Washington.