Maria Zakharova: The West’s policy in the Arctic is flawed; attempts to isolate Russia are illusory
© Russian Foreign Ministry

Maria Zakharova: The West’s policy in the Arctic is flawed; attempts to isolate Russia are illusory

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova called the West’s Arctic policy flawed after the Arctic Council member countries’ decision to resume the implementation of its projects without Russia.

“This highlights a chaotic decision- making process that can only show that attempts to isolate Russia in the Arctic are an illusion. Our Western partners are trying to cling to any idea to create the impression of their allegedly independent role in Arctic affairs,” Zakharova said in a statement. 

She emphasized that, as the main and unchallenged factor in the Arctic and as the current Arctic Council chair, Russia continues to implement projects initiated by Moscow and prioritizing Russia’s regions.

“Obviously the West’s current politicized Arctic policy is flawed and does not help resolve the problems that concern the destiny of humankind,” Zakharova added.

Earlier, Canada, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden and the United States issued a statement noting their intention to resume limited work in the Council on projects that do not involve the Russian Federation. According to the document, the work of the Arctic Council was suspended on March 3.