MOSCOW - NATO continues to play an active role in the militarization of the Arctic, creating new barriers to international cooperation in the region, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Maria Zakharova was quoted by TASS as saying on Friday.

Speaking at a regular briefing, Zakharova warned that Moscow would respond comprehensively to threats and challenges to its national security, stressing that "the strategic importance of the Arctic is growing every day."

Zakharova noted that the accession of Finland and Sweden to NATO has further exacerbated tensions in the region. "NATO is actively using the territory of Arctic member states to increase the size of coalition forces and the intensity of combat training activities," she said.

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She revealed that "civil transport infrastructure is being adapted for military purposes, additional reconnaissance assets are being deployed, and more than $300 billion have been allocated for these purposes by 2034."

She added that NATO has held about 10 large-scale exercises in the Arctic this year, including annual nuclear deterrence drills in October, some of which took place near Russia's borders.

"The importance of the Arctic for the Russian Federation can hardly be overstated," she said, emphasizing that Russia "has never threatened anyone in the Arctic region" and remains committed to international law and to resolving all emerging issues through political and diplomatic means.