Russia has made a decision to leave the Barents Euro-Arctic Council, the Russian Foreign Ministry said.
According to the ministry, it is the fault of the Western members of the Council (Denmark, Iceland, Norway, Finland, Sweden, European Union) due to which the Council's activities have been virtually paralyzed since March 2022.
The Finnish presidency has not confirmed its readiness to transfer the leadership of the Council to Russia in October 2023 "in violation of the principle of rotation, disrupting the necessary preparatory measures," the Russian Foreign Ministry noted.
"We are convinced that the momentary political conjuncture, which is guided by our Northern European neighbors, does not correspond to the long-term interests of the inhabitants of the Arctic. The responsibility for the collapse of the architecture of the Barents Cooperation lies entirely with our "partners," the Foreign Ministry stressed.
Russia will continue to pursue its national interests in the North and remains open to cooperation with all those who are constructive, ready for an equal dialogue and mutually beneficial joint work, the Ministry concluded.
Alex Shishlo for Rough&Polished
