Norway denies Russian accusation of militarising Svalbard Arctic islands

15/3/2025 6:53

Russia accused Norway of militarising the Svalbard archipelago, a claim Norway denied in a comment to news agency NTB after Russia on Friday had summoned the Norwegian ambassador to Moscow over the matter.



"Moscow called on the Norwegian side to renounce any activity that undermines the international legal foundations of the archipelago's regime," a statement by the Russian Foreign Ministry said.



It added such activity could lead to escalating tension or increase conflict potential in the Spitsbergen territory.



Norwegian foreign ministry spokesperson denied the claim.



"Svalbard is part of Norway and part of NATO. Norwegian authorities obviously act in accordance with the Svalbard Treaty," Ministry press officer Mathias Rongved told NTB.



Spitsbergen is the largest island in the Arctic Svalbard archipelago, located roughly halfway between the North Pole and the European mainland.