Defense Minister Tore O. Sandvik called the new Finnmark Brigade "a necessary response to a more uncertain security situation" along the Russian border
European shipyards maintain critical Russian LNG tankers that transport Arctic gas during peak winter demand, exposing a significant gap in Western sanctions as Moscow continues accessing lucrative energy markets.
The UK government banned Russian LNG imports but left a glaring loophole: Glasgow-based Seapeak Maritime's fleet of Arctic ships continues facilitating Putin's global gas trade worth billions.
Moscow's reckless exploitation of Arctic reserves threatens global climate targets while bankrolling its invasion of Ukraine. Yet China's growing involvement complicates Western efforts to curtail Russia's destructive expansion in the region.
Arctic, where Russia maintains a substantial military presence, is considered strategically crucial should any military conflict with Russia spill over into Arctic territories.
Russia's Arctic LNG 2 project now needs alternative investors, carriers, and equipment: its partners chose to leave over face the wrath of US third country sanctions