Russia has suspended the payment of annual membership fees to the Arctic Council, the Foreign Ministry told RIA Novosti.
"At the moment, Russia's payment of annual fees to the budget of the Arctic Council has been suspended until the resumption of practical work in this format with the participation of all member countries," the ministry said.
According to the Foreign Ministry, the current joint projects are being affected in such fields as the preservation of the fragile ecosystem of the Arctic, conducting polar research and marine scientific expeditions, developing humanitarian ties, improving the quality of life and well-being of the population and indigenous peoples of the Far North.
At the same time, the ministry said that "today the question of a possible withdrawal [of Russia] from the Arctic Council is not in the practical plane."
The Arctic Council was established in 1996. It is a high-level intergovernmental forum that promotes cooperation in the region, especially in the field of environmental protection. Among the member states of the Council are Denmark (including Greenland and the Faroe Islands), Iceland, Canada, Norway, Russia, the USA, Finland and Sweden. The rotation of the Chair countries takes place every two years.
In March 2022, the Western member countries of the council announced the suspension of participation in any events of the association in protest against the events in Ukraine. In May 2023, Norway assumed the presidency of the Council.
Alex Shishlo for Rough&Polished
