In an article published on the website ria.ru, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov noted that NATO openly declares its goal to turn the Arctic into a new theater of confrontation in order to contain the development of Russia and its like-minded countries. According to the head of the Foreign Ministry, Western countries do not hide their intentions.

Lavrov stressed that military preparations are actively underway in the immediate vicinity of Russia's northern borders. Large-scale exercises with an aggressive bias are being conducted, involving countries from other regions, and new elements of NATO's command structure are being created.

The minister recalled that in February 2026, the alliance launched operation "Arctic Sentinel," aimed at expanding military presence in high latitudes. Such NATO activity, in his words, poses a direct threat to Russia's security.

Lavrov also pointed out that blocking mechanisms of multilateral cooperation in the Far North is part of the West's anti-Russian policy. Some of these mechanisms have ceased to exist, while others have lost their meaning without Russia's participation, which was forced to sever ties due to hostile actions.

The only remaining intergovernmental format is the Arctic Council, created almost 30 years ago. However, as the minister noted, the council is approaching its anniversary not in the best shape. Russia is ready to resume the council's full work if other participants take into account the interests of all parties. Currently, NATO countries, trying to discuss Arctic issues without Russia, discredit and marginalize this organization.

In recent years, Russia has repeatedly stated about NATO's unprecedented activity near its western borders. The alliance is expanding initiatives, calling it "containment of Russian aggression." Moscow has expressed concern about the buildup of alliance forces in Europe. Vladimir Putin earlier noted that Western politicians regularly frighten their populations with a mythical Russian threat to divert attention from internal problems, but "smart people perfectly understand that this is a fake."

Source: RIA Novosti