NATO wants to increase activity in the Arctic region

“NATO must increase its presence in the Arctic,” NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg told German newspaper Welt am Sonntag. According to the Norwegian, Moscow is not only reopening Soviet-era bases in its Arctic regions, but also placing new weapons systems there such as hypersonic missiles. China is also showing more and more interest in the region, Stoltenberg said.

On Friday, the US State Department announced that it will appoint a special envoy to the Arctic for the first time. The plan, which has yet to be approved by the Senate, is aimed at promoting “American interests and cooperation with allies and partners in the Arctic,” according to a statement.

The Arctic region includes territories belonging to Russia, the USA, Canada, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden.