Russia has halted its annual payments to the Arctic Council until substantive work resumes with the participation of all member countries, as reported by the country’s foreign ministry to the RIA state news agency.
The suspension of payments reflects Russia’s dissatisfaction with the frozen cooperation between the Western Arctic states and Moscow following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine two years ago. Despite the suspension, Russia clarified that it does not currently intend to withdraw from the Council.
Maria Zakharova, spokesperson for the Russian foreign ministry, previously stated that if the Arctic Council becomes hostile towards Russia, Moscow would assess its continued participation in the organization, according to the TASS state agency.
Additionally, the speaker of the Duma, Russia’s lower house of parliament, announced plans for a vote next week on Russia’s potential withdrawal from the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), along with the consideration of leaving other international organizations.
Source: REUTERS