(Reuters) – Russia’s capabilities in the North are a strategic challenge for NATO and the alliance needs a strong allied presence in the Arctic region, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said during his Canada visit on Friday.
“The importance of the high North is increasing for NATO and for Canada because we see a significant Russian military buildup with new bases, new weapons system,” Stoltenberg said, standing alongside Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in Cold Lake, Alberta.
“The geopolitical situation has shifted over the past months, which is why understanding that Russia is an increasing concern to all of us makes it timely for us to share with the Secretary General and with NATO all the things that Canada is doing through NORAD,” Trudeau said, referring to U.S.-Canadian North American defense organization.
(Reporting by Ismail Shakil and Steve Scherer in Ottawa)
