MOSCOW. Feb 11 (Interfax) - The buildup of military infrastructure in Norway undermines regional security and damages relations with Russia, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said on Thursday.
"We believe activity of this kind by Oslo poses a threat to regional security and puts an end to Norway's traditional policy of non-deployment of foreign bases on its territory in peacetime," Zakharova said at a press briefing on Thursday.
Moscow expects Oslo to formulate its northern policy responsibly and "to abstain from actions undermining regional stability and damaging bilateral relations," she said.
Moscow has taken note of reports on preparations to deploy a squadron of United States strategic bombers at Norway's Orland air base near Trondheim in order to conduct joint exercises with the Royal Norwegian Air Force, Zakharova said.
"We view Oslo's decision as yet another step in a string of such actions toward a buildup of military activity in the far North, in the near vicinity of Russia's boundaries," she said.
Moreover, the building of a port for U.S. submarines is nearing completion not far from Norway's Tromso, and marine units from the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and the U.S. are stationed on a permanent basis in the northern part of Norway, Zakharova said.
"The Norwegian defense minister's comments alleging that his country's actions have a stabilizing effect and that there is no reason for Moscow to react harshly perplex us. It hardly makes sense to talk about calmness while tensions are growing and a formidable beachhead is being set up to conduct military operations against our country," she said.