Alaska US Senator Dan Sullivan said the Arctic is becoming more militarized due to Russia, and this is a challenge for the United States. With such conclusions, he made at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. RT got acquainted with the protocol of the event.

Moreover, according to the politician, Russia allegedly cannot be considered a country that always reacts peacefully to any events. “Remember how Russia acted in the past. If you ask residents of Ukraine, Crimea or Georgia, they will tell you that Russia does not always react to things in a peaceful way, ”Sullivan emphasizes.

The senator believes that the Arctic is becoming an arena for competition between great powers. He explained that US allies in the region share views on the problem of militarization, while Moscow and Beijing act "against American interests."

At the same time, Sullivan admits that the United States and Russia can cooperate in a number of areas in the Arctic, including in the field of science and rescue operations, and the Arctic Council "has traditionally been a peaceful council where cooperation has been discussed." However, he emphasized that "you cannot close your eyes to what" Russia is doing in the region.

In particular, the US senator touched on the topic of the Northern Sea Route: "Vladimir Putin called the transport routes in the Arctic a new Suez Canal, which Russia will control ... I think we do not want Russia to control them."

As Director of the Institute for Contemporary State Development Dmitry Solonnikov explained, US accusations against Russia are connected with Washington’s attempts to challenge Russia's rights to the Northern Sea Route and natural resources of the Arctic. Despite the fact that the route runs in the economic zone of Russia and partially in its territorial waters, the States intend to make the path open to all.

“In order to protect its interests and legal rights, which are in accordance with international law, Russia is forming a defensive line. This is so scary for America, but the Russian Federation does not place offensive weapons there. Maneuvers are being carried out in the Arctic, but this is not an attempt to create a powerful military fist aimed at the United States, ”the political analyst told RT.

The less the US will make claims on Russian rights and conduct aggressive rhetoric, the less reason Russia will not trust the States, Solonnikov added.

“While the United States is pursuing an aggressive policy, trying to seize or at least force Russia to voluntarily give the Americans what does not belong to them, Russia is forced to defend itself and will continue to build up its defensive capabilities, including with its allies,” he said.

  • Alaska Senator Dan Sullivan
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Meanwhile, Moscow has consistently advocated peace in the Arctic and state cooperation. This was stated by Russian President Vladimir Putin on the eve of the V International Arctic Forum "Arctic - Territory of Dialogue."

“Russia has always strived to strengthen cooperation with the states of the Arctic region. I am convinced that only together we can turn the Arctic into a territory of peace, stability and partnership, ”the Russian leader said.

“Contain any activity of Russia”

Meanwhile, Senator Sullivan calls on Washington to strengthen its position in the Arctic, in particular, to build a strategic military port there. Beyond the Arctic Circle and on the west coast of Alaska, the United States does not have the infrastructure that could service ships reaching the size of destroyers, the politician explained.

“In the Arctic region, we have only Anchorage. If we talk about the Arctic Circle or the western coast of Alaska, then we do not have a single strategic port, ”he said.

The need for an Arctic port is also mentioned in the bill on the budget for military construction and the activities of the US Department of Defense for the 2020 fiscal year. On June 27, the document was approved by the Senate.

The bill also talks about the growing role of Russia and China in the Arctic, as well as the importance of the region for the national security of the United States. The authors note that one or more strategic ports are necessary for the country to show the seriousness of the US intentions in this region.

“Despite notable progress in raising awareness of Arctic issues and stimulating a greater presence in the region, additional measures need to be taken, such as the creation of one or more strategic ports in the Arctic, to demonstrate the seriousness of the US intentions regarding this strategically important point of future confrontation between the great powers ", - said in the bill.

As Sullivan previously stated, budget allocations to strengthen defense capabilities in the Arctic and Alaska would help the United States keep the region in a “peaceful and conflict-free” state.

“This bill will make it clear to our opponents in the Arctic that we are aware of the potential of this region and are determined to keep it free from conflicts and maintain peace there for many decades,” the senator said, commenting on the bill.

Earlier, the representative of the US Department of Defense, General Jeffrey Harrigian, stated that the Pentagon’s goal in the Arctic is to “deter any activity of Russia.”

The Russian Foreign Ministry believes that Washington is trying to transform the northern zone into a theater of operations and destroy the atmosphere of partnership.

“Judging by the militant rhetoric, the prevailing line was the transformation of the region into a theater of operations, the escalation of tension. It is no coincidence that the emphasis is on military methods, on increasing military spending in the Arctic, attempts to undermine the trust and atmosphere of multilateral Arctic cooperation, ”said Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova.

Unfounded claims

An expert at the International Institute for Humanitarian and Political Studies, Vladimir Bruter, called the US claims against Russia obscure. The military presence of the Russian Federation in the Arctic serves to protect the territory and does not involve aggressive actions.

“Russia is not going to give its economic interests in the Arctic to anyone, and the question is not militarization. We have no plans to deploy new missiles there, although, naturally, Russian submarines are constantly on alert. Therefore, it’s not entirely clear to me what the Americans are talking about, ”he said.

Dmitry Solonnikov, in turn, noted that a senator from Alaska is using the “Russian threat” to get funding for his staff.

“The standard knockout of money, covered by external“ aggressive ”actions. Bullying by Russia is a proven and reused horse. Why not apply again to attract federal investment? The state establishment is trying to build a port, create infrastructure, create new jobs, transport system and so on, ”the expert added.

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Military pressure

During the speech, Sullivan also stated that the Pentagon should appoint a deputy assistant secretary of defense for the Arctic. According to him, various armed forces in the region are subordinate to several commands at once, including the North, Indo-Pacific, European, as well as the NATO command.

“So this is a classic junction. And what does this say to those of us who understand military strategy? Sometimes it’s about significance. But it can also be a sign of a lack of leadership, and this is a problem, ”Sullivan said.

The politician also noted that the US Department of Defense should present a plan for how each military unit will implement the American Arctic doctrine, presented in 2016.

In April, the US Coast Guard, a command not subordinate to the Pentagon, introduced another strategic document regulating US actions in the Arctic. It also talks about challenges from Russia and China. Moreover, the drafters emphasize that the United States will have to fulfill its “leading role” in order to prevent conflict in the region.

Talking about building up military potential is purely economic, Vladimir Bruter believes. But, in his opinion, Washington in vain hopes that Moscow will ever make concessions to the detriment of its own interests.

“If the US wants Russia to take their interests into account first, and then its own, then this will not happen. And the sooner they understand this, the better it will be for their political vision and wallet. In order to conduct a dialogue with Russia, the proposals of the Americans must be concrete and mutually respectful, ”the expert concluded.