Arctic Council Venue for US-Russian Communication - US Representative

US Special Representative to the Arctic Council Admiral Robert Papp claims that the Arctic Council will remain an important forum for continued dialogue between the United States and Russia.

WASHINGTON (Sputnik), Leandra Bernstein — The Arctic Council will remain an important forum for continued dialogue between the United States and Russia, US Special Representative to the Arctic Council Admiral Robert Papp told Sputnik.

“It is also helpful that we have at least one venue where we can speak to the Russians, to keep lines of communication open,” Papp said on Wednesday of the role of the Arctic Council.

Papp, who was nominated to represent the United States during its chairmanship of the Council, added that “no problem in the world is ever made better by cutting off communications.”

US relations with Russia have been in decline following Washington’s accusations of Russian involvement in the Ukrainian conflict. Moscow has denied the allegations and recently emphasized the desire to maintain open communication with the United States on a variety of issues.

“We want to keep the Arctic a place of peace and coexistence,” Papp stated.

The Arctic Council does not handle defense issues, but the United States will steer the Council to focus on environmental, economic as well as maritime security during its chairmanship.

The Arctic Council is an intergovernmental forum comprised of all eight Arctic nations and 11 observer nations with interests in the region.