Pentagon says Russia's Arctic capabilities hold potential risk to US
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Acting Under Secretary of Defense for Policy claims "Russia has continued its expansion and modernization of Arctic military infrastructure."
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In this Jan. 30, 2014 photo, an RQ7 Shadow unmanned aircraft flies from its pneumatic catapult launcher at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage, Alaska. (AP)
Russia's expanding military capabilities in the Arctic region present potential threats to the national security of the United States and its allies, Acting Under Secretary of Defense for Policy, Amanda Dory, stated on Tuesday.
"Russia has continued its expansion and modernization of Arctic military infrastructure," Dory claimed during an event at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars.
She emphasized that "Russia's arctic military capabilities have the potential to hold the US homeland as well as allied and partner territories at risk."
However, Dory did not specify the types of risks Russia allegedly poses to the security of the US and its allies in the Arctic region.
On Monday, the US Defense Department unveiled its 2024 Arctic Strategy, which is shaped by various geopolitical changes in recent years, including the war in Ukraine, the accession of Finland and Sweden to NATO, and the growing cooperation between Russia and China.
Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen Hicks claimed the US has observed increasing collaboration between China and Russia in the Arctic, with Beijing being a major financier of Russian energy projects in the region.
Hicks also noted growing military cooperation "with Russia and China conducting joint exercises off the coast of Alaska."
Russia and China on Tuesday rebuffed the US warning about the alleged increasing military and economic cooperation in the Arctic.
Beijing asserted that its actions are based on "principles of respect, cooperation, mutual wins and sustainability" and emphasized its commitment to "maintaining peace and stability" in the region.
"The United States distorts China's Arctic policy and makes thoughtless remarks on China's normal Arctic activities (which are) in accordance with international law," indicated Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning.
On his part, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov affirmed that Russia "does its part to ensure that the Arctic does not become a territory of discord and tension."
He assured reporters that Russia's cooperation with China "contributes to an atmosphere of stability and predictability" in the Arctic, and their actions are not directed against other states.
In May, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping issued a joint statement emphasizing their commitment to maintaining the Arctic as a region of low military and political tension.
Washington's Arctic strategy highlights the area's strategic importance for the United States, including "the northern approaches to the homeland" and "significant US defense infrastructure."
Read more: US falling severely behind on Arctic advancement against Russia
