Pence says importance of strengthening relations with Iceland

He noted that "the United States is grateful for the position taken by Iceland, abandoning China's financial investments."

"We believe that it is very important to strengthen the ties that connect the countries of this region," RIA Novosti quoted Pence as saying.

According to him, "China is becoming more active in the Arctic region both economically and strategically, and Russia's actions are also intensifying, although they are already several decades old."

“So it's time for us to strengthen our allied relations and security cooperation,” the American vice president added.

In May, Iceland’s Foreign Minister Gudlaugur Tor Tordarson said that “the increase in Russia's military potential in the Arctic raises questions.”