The Arctic is becoming the epicenter of the global climate crisis, Foreign Minister of Sweden Margot Wallstrom claims as quoted by RIA Novosti.

The foreign minister recalled that in November 2016, the Arctic set a temperature record when thermometers went up by 1.5 degrees above average. "The climate crisis in the Arctic is not a futuristic scenario but a reality. Global warming is not just a potential threat. It is a threat to global security," Wallstrom commented.

The minister believes the international community must come together to solve the problems of the Arctic. She stressed the importance of international cooperation forums given the "increasing nationalism and disconnection as countries seem to prefer to solve problems independently rather than together."

"We are glad to have an opportunity to constructively work with Russia in the Arctic Council and continue the dialogue even though we have some disagreements in other areas," Wallstrom said.