The Ministry of Foreign Affairs reported on Oslo's increasing efforts to strengthen Svalbard's sovereignty

Norway is stepping up efforts to strengthen sovereignty over Svalbard in violation of the treaty and to the detriment of Russia's interests. This was announced on August 13 by the Deputy Director of the Department of Information and Press Russian Foreign Ministry Alexey Fadeev.

"We consider categorically unacceptable the line chosen by the Norwegian authorities towards the militarization of Svalbard, which demonstrates gross disregard for the 1920 treaty," he said during a briefing.

Fadeev stressed that with its provocative actions, Oslo is whipping up an atmosphere of confrontation around the archipelago. Fadeev clarified that this is fraught with increased tension in high latitudes.

He clarified that Moscow has a number of questions about dual-use facilities, including the SvalSat satellite station, also used by Norway's NATO allies for military purposes.

According to Fadeev, Russia expects Norway to reconsider its "politicized, unconstructive attitude and approaches" and return to the faithful fulfillment of the commitments made 100 years ago.

"Russia is interested in constructive cooperation with Norway in Svalbard"

Russian Ambassador to Oslo Nikolai Korchunov — on the role of the archipelago and NATO's activity in the Arctic

Earlier, on August 12, The Economist magazine reported on NATO's concern about the mining village of Barentsberg in the Norwegian Svalbard. The publication called the settlement a corner of Russia and noted that some buildings also have drawings glorifying the presence of the Russian Federation in the Arctic.

All important news is on the Izvestia channel in the MAX messenger.