The member states of the Barents / Euro-Arctic Council have announced the suspension of cooperation with Russia due to its military invasion of Ukraine.
This was reported by "Interfax" with reference to the statement of the organization.
The authors of the document emphasize that the Barents Council aims to "strengthen peace, stability and sustainable development" in the Arctic.
"In view of Russia's flagrant violation of international law, the violation of the multilateral rules, principles and objectives of the Barents / Euro-Arctic Council, Finland, Denmark, Iceland, Norway, Sweden and the European Union have no choice but to suspend Russia's activities within Barents-Euro-Arctic cooperation," the statement said.
The Barents Council was established as a forum for regional cooperation in early 1993 at a meeting of Russian and Nordic foreign ministers in Kirkenes, Norway. Its permanent members include Denmark, Iceland, Norway, Russia, Finland and Sweden, as well as the Commission of the European Communities (European Commission). Nine countries - Britain, Germany, Italy, Canada, the Netherlands, Poland, France, the United States and Japan - have observer status.
Earlier, the Arctic Council also announced the suspension of work in connection with Russia's actions in Ukraine.
It will be recalled that last year Russia again blocked the EU from gaining observer status in the Arctic Council. In the EU, they consider such actions from the Russian side as a response to the continued support of Ukraine and sanctions against Russia for Crimea and aggression in eastern Ukraine.