Russia's ambassador to Canada has warned of the risk of an arms race in the Arctic due to Ottawa's increased military spending.

Brief retelling from RIA II

Russia's Ambassador to Ottawa Oleg Stepanov said Canada's increase in military spending in the Arctic could lead to an arms race.

Canada has been increasing its military presence in the Arctic in recent years, investing in modernizing its defense infrastructure and updating its fleet.

Russia opposes the militarization of the Arctic and emphasizes its interest in preserving the region as a space of peace and cooperation.

WASHINGTON, September 24 – RIA Novosti. Canada's increase in military spending in the Arctic could lead to an arms race and turn the region into an arena of rivalry, Russian Ambassador to Ottawa Oleg Stepanov said in an interview with RIA Novosti.

Canada has been increasing its military presence in the Arctic in recent years, investing in modernizing defense infrastructure, surveillance and early warning systems, and updating its fleet to operate in northern latitudes.

“Such a risk exists if the result is the creation of infrastructure for NATO power projection in the High North. Canada, it seems, would be wiser not to turn the Arctic into an arena of competition, but to direct resources to peaceful purposes - communications, rescue services, transport and science,” Stepanov said, answering the question of whether Canada’s spending on the militarization of the Arctic could lead to an arms race.