The United Kingdom and Norway have started negotiations on counteracting the threat of Russia in the Arctic – the Government

The United Kingdom has started negotiating an important defense agreement with Norway, which will strengthen security and help contain Russian aggression, the press service of the Britain’s government said on February 20.

It is stated that the Minister of Defense of the United Kingdom, John Hili, met with his Norwegian colleague Taor Sandwik in the Norwegian United Staff near the northern city of Bode by the Arctic Circle.

“The proposed strategic partnership will develop the long -standing defense relations of Great Britain with Norway, strengthening our armed forces, developing closer industrial connections and strengthening our opportunities to resist joint challenges, such as the protection of critically important underwater infrastructure,” the statement said.

Together with Norway Defense Minister, Tore Sandwik John Hili, he visited a border pledge yesterday near Kirkenez on the Russian border. There, they discussed joint concern about security and obligation to restrain Russian threats and strengthen Ukraine’s support this critical year, the government says.

“As Russia continues to militarize the far north and the Arctic, this new agreement will strengthen the security of the United Kingdom, Norway and our NATO allies, strengthening defense on the northern flank of NATO,” Britain stressed.

On February 18, the head of the Russian Direct Investment Fund Kirill Dmitriev, who participated in negotiations between the United States and the Russian Federation in Saudi Arabia, said that Russia was interested in the Arctic -jointly in common in the US.

Earlier, Canadian Defense Minister Bill Blair said that Ottawa would seek deeper cooperation, including joint exercises with northern European countries. According to him, the deployment of Russia in the Arctic of missile systems capable of striking North America and Europe is a great concern.