China News Service, Moscow, February 7 (Xinhua) Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zakharova said on the 7th that NATO's upcoming "Nordic Response" military exercise will lead to further escalation of tensions in the European Arctic region, and Russia will respond to this.
In response to the issue of strengthening military cooperation between Norway and the United States, Zakharova said at a regular press conference on the 7th that Norway has increasingly strengthened military cooperation with the United States recently, including in areas near the Russian border. On February 2 this year, Norway and the United States signed a document agreeing to revise the 2021 Norway-U.S. Defense Cooperation Supplementary Agreement.
She said that NATO's "Nordic Response" military exercise will be held in the northern regions of Norway, Finland and Sweden from March 3 to 14. It is expected that more than 20,000 military personnel from 14 NATO allies and partner countries will participate in the exercise. This is another step taken by Norway under the leadership of NATO to strengthen the country's military preparedness.
Zakharova said that Norway’s latest actions will lead to further escalation of tensions in the European Arctic. Furthermore, it undermines Norway's own security, effectively voluntarily giving up its independence and sovereignty.
Zakharova stressed that Russia will not turn a blind eye to NATO's potential strengthening of military capabilities near its borders, and Russia will take corresponding defense measures to deal with threats to national security.
According to reports, the "Nordic Response" military exercise is an integral part of NATO's "Resolute Defender 2024" exercise. NATO's transatlantic "Resolute Defender 2024" military exercise was officially launched on January 24 and will last until the end of May. About 90,000 military personnel from 31 NATO member states and partner country Sweden participate in the exercise. This is NATO's largest joint land, sea and air military exercise in decades. (over)