Seven countries that ring the Arctic have pulled out of the international body that oversees its use and development in protest of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Canada, the United States, Norway, Iceland, Sweden, Denmark and Finland have announced they won’t participate in the work of the Arctic Council or attend any of its meetings until further notice.
The Arctic Council is currently led by Russia.
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The council is the main international body that brings together all northern nations to discuss environment and development issues.
It also includes Indigenous groups as permanent participants.
The organization was founded in Ottawa in 1996.
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The Russian navy’s missile cruiser Marshal Ustinov sails off for an exercise in the Arctic, on Jan. 26, 2022. (Russian Defence Ministry Press Service via AP / THE CANADIAN PRESS)
