Breedlove: US Military Considering Capabilities to 'Deter Russia in Arctic'

US military leaders are considering the capabilities Washington would need in the Arctic to deter Russia, US Supreme Allied Commander Europe General Philip Breedlove told the House of Representatives Armed Services Committee on Thursday.

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — Breedlove explained that while he does not believe any member state of the international Arctic Council is seeking to turn the Arctic into a conflict zone, "our opponent decided to militarize the Arctic."

"I think this [deterring Russia in the Arctic] is, again, a discussion of do we have the appropriate capabilities of all manner — aircraft, icebreakers, other things — and do we have capacities," Breedlove said. "And that is work that is being looked at right now."

In recent weeks, Breedlove visited leaders in the US state of Alaska to discuss the nation’s capabilities in the region.

In late 2015, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister stated that Russia does not intend to militarize the Arctic, but create favorable conditions in the region for life and commerce.

A major component of Russia’s peacetime military investment this year will be funding infrastructure and military facilities in its Arctic territory.