NATO plans to coordinate the actions of its member states in the Arctic to prevent Russia and China from strengthening their positions in the region, Secretary General Mark Rutte said while commenting on remarks by US President Donald Trump.

Rutte said Trump was right to point to Moscow and Beijing’s growing activity in the Arctic. In this situation, he stressed, NATO allies must act together and make sure that such a shift in the regional balance does not take place.

According to the NATO chief, the relevant arrangements have already been discussed among allied countries. He also said the alliance continues to hold consultations with Denmark and the authorities of Greenland on security issues in the Arctic region.

Russia, for its part, has repeatedly accused NATO of expanding its military activity in the Far North. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has said that the alliance is pursuing programs aimed at militarizing the Arctic and turning the region into a space of confrontation.

Russian Ambassador to Norway Nikolay Korchunov has also stated in an interview with RIA Novosti that Moscow does not threaten anyone in the Arctic and is interested in preserving peace. At the same time, he warned that NATO’s military infrastructure and offensive weapons moving closer to Russian borders create a threat to Russia’s national security.