France is interested in intelligence that Norway gathers on Russian military activity in the high latitudes and on Russia’s nuclear deterrence forces, the Russian Embassy in Oslo told RIA Novosti.

According to the embassy, Paris is especially focused on information collected by Norway in the interests of NATO. The data in question primarily concerns Russian military activity in the Arctic region and Russia’s strategic forces. The diplomatic mission said Oslo has recently been paying excessive attention to these issues, while the French initiative has an anti-Russian character.

The Russian Embassy in Norway had earlier said that Moscow does not threaten anyone in the Arctic and seeks to maintain peace and stability in the high latitudes. Russian diplomats also stressed that the country remains committed to international law and supports resolving emerging issues through political and diplomatic means.

Moscow has repeatedly pointed in recent years to what it describes as unprecedented NATO activity near Russia’s western borders. The alliance explains its expanded initiatives as necessary to deter what it calls Russian aggression. Russia, in turn, has expressed concern over the bloc’s military buildup in Europe. The Kremlin has emphasized that Russia poses no threat to anyone, but will not ignore actions that could endanger its interests.