During a visit to northern Canada, Stoltenberg said the shortest route to North America for Russian missiles and bombers is over the North Pole. He said Russia has created a new Arctic Command and opened hundreds of new and former Soviet-era Arctic military sites, including airfields and deep-sea ports. “We are seeing a significant Russian military build-up with new bases, new weapons systems and also using the High North as a test bed for their most advanced weapons, including hypersonic missiles,” Stoltenberg said at a Canadian military base in Cold Lake. Alberta. Stoltenberg also noted that China has declared itself a “near-Arctic” state. He said Beijing plans to build the world’s largest icebreaker and is spending tens of billions of dollars on energy, infrastructure and research projects in the north. “Beijing and Moscow are also committed to intensifying practical cooperation in the Arctic. This is part of a deepening strategic partnership that challenges our values and interests,” Stoltenberg said. He also noted that climate change is making the Arctic more accessible to militaries and welcomed Canada’s recent announcement that it would boost defense spending. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who accompanied Stoltenberg, outlined some of Canada’s spending and activities in the north. These include promises to spend billions of dollars on new military equipment and capabilities, including plans to buy new fighter jets and modernize North America’s aging NORAD early warning system with Washington. “Russia’s unfortunate, unwarranted decision to upend nearly 70 years of peace and stability of a rules-based order by invading a peaceful neighbor has changed the way we must view the Arctic,” Trudeau said, referring to Russia’s attack on Ukraine.
