Geneva. June 16. INTERFAX-US concerns about Russia's militarization of the Arctic are groundless, Russian President Vladimir Putin said.
The topic of the Arctic was discussed "in sufficient detail" at the talks in a broad format with US President Joe Biden, Putin said at a press conference after the summit on Wednesday.
"These concerns of the American side about militarization have absolutely no basis," Putin said.
"We don't do anything there that wasn't done in the Soviet Union. We are restoring the infrastructure that was once completely destroyed. Yes, we are doing this at a modern level - both military and border infrastructure. And, what was not there, the infrastructure related to nature protection, " Putin said.
He said that the infrastructure of the Ministry of Emergency Situations is being created in the Arctic to conduct rescue operations at sea and protect the environment. "I told our colleagues that I don't see any concern here. On the contrary, I am deeply convinced that we can and should cooperate in this area, " Putin said.
