NATO launches "Arctic Sentry" mission amid Russian warnings over Greenland militarization

The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) announced Wednesday the launch of a major multi-domain military operation dubbed "Arctic Sentry", as Russia warned of countermeasures over the "militarization" of the Arctic territory Greenland.

The "Arctic Sentry" mission is aimed at strengthening NATO's presence across the Arctic and High North regions, according to the alliance's Allied Command Operations, headquartered in Mons, Belgium.

Colonel Martin O'Donnell, spokesperson for NATO's Supreme Allied Commander Europe, said earlier that the operation will feature regular naval exercises, intensified airspace monitoring with Allied fighter jets, and the temporary deployment of small army contingents to Denmark's autonomous territory of Greenland and other Arctic locations.

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte revealed on Wednesday that tens of thousands of NATO military personnel are expected to participate in exercises conducted within the "Arctic Sentry" framework.

In Moscow, addressing the State Duma on Wednesday, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov warned that Russia would respond with adequate countermeasures, including military ones, should Greenland be "militarized".

In a separate interview released online on the same day, Lavrov accused NATO of attempting to transform the Arctic into a theater of confrontation.

NATO has repeatedly engaged in provocations in the Arctic, but such actions will diminish quickly once their planners realize the serious consequences, said the Russian foreign minister.

U.S. President Donald Trump has repeatedly expressed interest in acquiring Greenland, which he said is vital to American national security. Trump has also proposed deploying a "Golden Dome" missile defense system on the Arctic island, a plan that has alarmed Russian officials.

Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said earlier that the Russian military would "closely monitor and analyze" Washington's intentions regarding Greenland.

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov also said earlier this month that the recent tensions surrounding Greenland stem from the U.S. desire to maintain its hegemony, vowing that Russia would ensure its national security under any circumstances.

NATO launches "Arctic Sentry" mission amid Russian warnings over Greenland militarization

NATO launches "Arctic Sentry" mission amid Russian warnings over Greenland militarization

NATO launches "Arctic Sentry" mission amid Russian warnings over Greenland militarization

Some Japanese people said on Thursday that the government led by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi must firmly uphold the pacifist constitution.

Their remarks came after French President Emmanuel Macron's visit to Japan from Tuesday to Thursday.

Attending a joint press conference with Takaichi on Wednesday, Macron emphasized that France and Japan have agreed on the importance of on the importance of quickly de-escalating the conflict in the Middle East and upholding international law.

Many saw this as a response to a strongly worded post by U.S. President Donald Trump on social media, which criticized France for refusing to cooperate with the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran.

Some locals in Tokyo expressed their opposition to Japan's involvement in any war, but said Japan could offer help when the conflict in the Middle East ends.

"I think that Prime Minister Takaichi could offer support, provided that we wouldn't get involved in an armed conflict, such as minesweeping operations at sea, as Japan has the best minesweeping technology in the world," said a resident in Tokyo.

"I'm not entirely sure what consequences will follow Trump's demands. There may be additional tariffs, among other things. Our constitution prohibits [Japan's] from getting involved in war, and Prime Minister Takaichi should uphold this principle," said another resident.

Tokyo residents urge PM Takaichi to uphold pacifist constitution