The US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Tuesday voiced concern over the “increased military activities in the Arctic” and stressed the need to “avoid the militarisation of the region,” reported AFP. The statement came a day after Russia defended its military activities in the strategic region.

Also read: US-Russia relationship faces the ‘Arctic test’ before possible summit

“We have concerns about some of the increased military activities in the Arctic. That increases the dangers or prospects of accidents… and undermines the shared goal of a peaceful and sustainable future for the region,” Blinken said at a press conference in Reykjavik, Iceland.

“What we need to avoid is a militarisation of the region,” said the US Secretary of State on the eve of an Arctic Council meeting of foreign ministers on Wednesday and Thursday, where he will meet his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov.

Interest in the Arctic’s natural resources, its navigation routes and its strategic position has grown over the years as the region has become more accessible due to climate change.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has in recent years made Russia’s Arctic region a strategic priority and ordered investment in military infrastructure and mineral extraction. This has exacerbated tensions with Arctic Council members.

The Russian foreign minister on Monday warned Western countries against staking claims in the Arctic.

Also read: Russia launches its first Arctic monitoring satellite

“It has been absolutely clear for everyone for a long time that this is our territory, this is our land,” Lavrov said at a press conference in Moscow, reported the news agency.

“We are responsible for ensuring our Arctic coast is safe,” he added.

The United States has pushed back against what it considers Russian and Chinese “aggressivity” in the region.