The Kremlin criticizes NATO's plans to expand in the Arctic

Russia has criticized NATO's plans to expand into the Arctic, a resource-rich region that world powers increasingly consider strategically important.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that Russia considers NATO's actions towards the Arctic "negative", according to the Russian Interfax news agency.

"Russia will protect its interests in an appropriate manner," he added, referring to security needs and economic activities.

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg told the newspaper "Welt am Sonntag" that NATO should strengthen its presence in the Arctic.

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