Arctic region int'l theater of military operations: Russian official
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The Arctic military transformation comes after Finland and Sweden filed for NATO membership.
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Russian Ambassador for Arctic Cooperation Nikolai Korchunov
Nikolay Korchunov, Russia's Ambassador-at-Large for Arctic Cooperation, told Sputnik on Sunday that the Arctic area has become an international theater of military operations since Finland and Sweden filed for NATO membership.
On Wednesday, Helsinki and Stockholm submitted their NATO membership bids to NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg.
Read more: Italian leader criticizes Finland, Sweden plans to join NATO
Commenting on their membership bids, Korchunov stated, "We are seeing an increase in international military activity in polar latitudes. There is the internationalization of military activities. The transformation of the Arctic region into an international theater of military operations is, of course, a very disturbing trend. We cannot but be concerned about this."
The Ambassador added that "the policy of non-alignment to military alliances, the traditional policy of Sweden and Finland, has long provided a solid basis for maintaining peace and stability in polar latitudes. The possible accession of these countries to NATO is unlikely to contribute to this goal."
