‘Cannot fall into the trap of militarizing the Arctic’ Minister Joly says in message to Russia

Canada’s Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly was asked Tuesday what message the deal with Denmark regarding territorial ownership of Hans Island sends to Russia amid its invasion of Ukraine. “We expect Russia to abide by the rule[s] and to make sure, ultimately, that we keep the Arctic a low-tension region. We cannot fall into the trap of militarizing the Arctic,” Joly said. After a decades-long dispute, Canada and Denmark agreed to a deal to divide the tiny Arctic island on Tuesday.