US declares intention to protect its national interests in the Arctic
Responding to a question about Russia’s military build-up in the Arctic, Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said that the United States is against the militarization of the Arctic and is keeping an eye on Russian activities in the region
“Obviously, we are monitoring very closely. No one wants to see the Arctic become a militarised region”, – Kirby said at a briefing.
He said the Arctic plays a key role in US security and is a potential link between Washington, Europe and the Indo-Pacific region, making it “vulnerable to expanding rivalries”.
Kirby added that Washington aims to protect interests in the Arctic by maintaining a rules-based world order and, in particular, through US ties with regional allies and partners.
At the same time, Kirby declined to offer details of U.S. intelligence assessments of Russian activity in the region.
US declares intention to protect its national interests in the Arctic