The idea of Canada and the Nordic countries to create an alliance for stability in the Arctic is doomed to fail without Russia's participation, Chairman of the Federation Council Committee on International Affairs Grigory Karasin said in an interview with Izvestia.
Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly informed Bloomberg about the relevant intention. According to her, Canada and the Nordic countries are working on creating a "dialogue on security in the Arctic," or a forum to discuss countering Russia.
"No alliance for stability and cooperation in the Arctic will work without our participation, it is doomed to fail. And, in my opinion, it is frankly provocative. This is clearly a well-thought-out, long-term attempt to provoke an acute situation in the Arctic as well. I think this will not succeed, because I still hope for the common sense of politicians who live in the northern countries of America and Europe," Karasin commented.
The real purpose of this alliance, the senator believes, is an attempt to squeeze Russia out of the Arctic.
Alex Shishlo, Editor in Chief of the European Bureau, Rough&Polished