Just a month before the invasion, Norwegian officials suspected Russian involvement in a severed undersea fiber-optic cable near Svalbard. Norwegian officials, meanwhile, report a growing Chinese interest in acquiring land on the archipelago, including a recent proposal to establish a laser-research station. That business, too, is unprofitable but the Russian state subsidizes it to keep its beachhead on Svalbard, Norwegian officials say. Later, Russian officials erected a giant Orthodox cross in Pyramiden, also violating Svalbard’s regulations. Following the invasion of Ukraine, Russia and China have deepened their Arctic ties, from Chinese energy investments to security links.

Source: Wall Street Journal October 16, 2024 18:03 UTC