NATO General: Joint Russia-China Activities in the Arctic Put the Alliance at Risk

For several days, the topic of Greenland has dominated the headlines. The US ambitions regarding the Danish dependency have been commented on by an increasing number of global decision-makers.

We have yet to hear a direct comment about Greenland itself from the Supreme Allied Commander (who is also the top US military commander in Europe). General Grynkewich, however, spoke more broadly – ​​about the Arctic as a whole and its impact on international security.   

At the annual People and Defense (Folk och Försvar) conference in Sälen, Sweden, General Grynkewich was blunt: the Arctic now constitutes “a frontline for strategic competition.” He noted the increasing activity by several actors, citing as an example the increasingly frequent joint China-Russia patrols in the area.

He said that Chinese icebreakers and research vessels are operating in Arctic waters and their research is not aimed at peace, but at gaining military advantage, adding that the Russians and Chinese are conducting joint bathymetric studies – a method of measuring the depth and structure of the seabed – which could help them in future efforts to neutralize NATO capabilities both on the sea surface and below. 

Grynkiewich emphasized that this issue could escalate very quickly and we need to be aware of this and be prepared.

EUCOM Commander warned the audience, directing their attention to the aforementioned area, announcing that NATO would increase its activity in the region.

Grynkiewich said that at a recent conference of Arctic chiefs of defense, NATO agreed to improve our understanding of activity in the Arctic, strengthen situational awareness, and increase our activity and number of exercises in the High North.

The Geo Post