In 2020, the United States intercepted a record number of Russian military aircraft in the areas of Alaska since the Cold War. This was announced on Tuesday, July 27, by the Deputy Chief of Staff of the US Air Force, General Clinton Heinout, at the round table of the Woodrow Wilson International Center, the topic of which is the Arctic strategy of the US Air Ministry.
He noted that it was these changes that forced Washington to focus on the problems related to Alaska.
"There is a warming trend (of the climate in the Arctic), which contributes to the growth of activity. Interesting fact: not all manifestations of this activity are harmless. For example, last year we intercepted more Russian military aircraft near Alaska than at any time since the Cold War, " RIA Novosti quoted the American general as saying.
Heinout expressed the opinion that "focusing on Alaska" will allow the United States to "compete" and, if necessary," repel the military rivalry that is currently being observed " in the Arctic territories.
The bilateral issue of the Arctic was touched upon at the Geneva summit of Russian President Vladimir Putin and his American counterpart Joe Biden. Then the parties discussed issues of stability and focused on the role of the designated region as a place for cooperation, not for conflict.
The Russian President noted that the US concerns about the militarization of the Arctic have "absolutely no grounds".
In addition, Putin added that the issue of allowing foreign ships to pass through the internal seas in the Arctic is a sovereign right of Russia, but it does not abuse it.
During the press conference, Putin said that the negotiations with Biden went well. The Russian leader noted that there was no hostility on both sides. Politicians, according to him, expressed a desire to bring their positions closer.
