GEOPOLITICS | Russia Warns Against NATO Military Plans for Svalbard

Russia has issued a warning to Norway and NATO regarding the inclusion of the Svalbard archipelago in their military planning. According to Jin10, the statement was made by Andrey Chemerilo, Russia's Consul General in Svalbard, in a written response to The Wall Street Journal. Some officials in Oslo have suggested that Norway should deploy military forces on Svalbard as a deterrent measure. The archipelago is located in the Arctic Ocean and its international legal status was established by the Svalbard Treaty signed in 1920. The treaty recognizes Norway's sovereignty over the territory while granting signatory countries, including Russia, equal rights to exploit natural resources within Svalbard and its territorial waters.