That’s what Stoltenberg wrote in an article in a Canadian newspaper Globe and Letters in connection with his visit to Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau this week.
In the article, he points out, among other things, that the shortest route to North America for Russian missiles or bombers is over the North Pole.
Arctic theme
The Arctic will be the topic there, and Russian aggression in the north in particular.
– Last month, President Vladimir Putin unveiled a new maritime strategy to protect Arctic waters ‘by all available means’, including increased activity around the Svalbard archipelago, and the Zircon hypersonic missile system in the Northern Fleet. Russia’s ability to disrupt allied reinforcements across the North Atlantic is a strategic challenge for the alliance, Stoltenberg wrote.
Also warned about China’s plans
The NATO head also warned about China’s plans in the Arctic.
– China is also expanding its reach, declaring itself a “Near Arctic country” and planning a “Polar Silk Road” connecting China to Europe via the Arctic. Earlier this year, Beijing and Moscow pledged to intensify practical cooperation in the Arctic, as part of a deepening strategic partnership that challenges our values and interests, the Secretary-General wrote.
“Bacon nerd. Future teen idol. Zombie aficionado. Troublemaker. Travel buff. Award-winning reader.”
:quality(70)/cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/mentormedier/CLLYWTTSIGDQHSSNFYFBUVWWDI.jpg)
