Russia Accuses Norway of Militarizing Svalbard Amid Diplomatic Tensions

HELSINKI, Norway – Russia has accused Norway of militarizing the Svalbard archipelago, escalating diplomatic tensions between the two nations. This claim was rebutted by Norway, which affirmed its sovereignty and compliance with international treaties.

The Russian Foreign Ministry summoned the Norwegian ambassador to Moscow on March 14, stating that Norway should renounce any activities that could undermine the legal foundations of the Svalbard regime. Such actions, the ministry warned, threaten to escalate tensions and increase the potential for conflict in the Spitsbergen area of the archipelago.

In response, a spokesperson from the Norwegian foreign ministry, Mathias Rongved, asserted that Svalbard is unequivocally part of Norway and a member of NATO. “Norwegian authorities obviously act in accordance with the Svalbard Treaty,” Rongved told the Norwegian news agency NTB.

Svalbard, located roughly halfway between the North Pole and mainland Europe, is governed under a 1920 treaty that grants Norway sovereignty while allowing citizens from signatory states to live there without a visa. The treaty imposes restrictions on military use of the islands, yet they are not classified as a demilitarized zone.

The archipelago is home to two Russian settlements, Barentsburg and Pyramiden, which collectively house around 340 residents out of a total population of 2,945, according to Statistics Norway.

As NATO’s monitor of the vast 2 million square kilometer area of the North Atlantic that encompasses the Russian northern fleet’s nuclear submarines, Norway’s military presence in the region has consistently been a point of contention. The waters monitored by Norway extend between Svalbard and the mainland.

Historically, Russia has expressed concerns over Norway’s military activities in Svalbard, claiming they contribute to increased tensions in the Arctic. The outcome of this latest diplomatic episode remains uncertain as both countries position themselves amidst international scrutiny.