Russia-NATO conflict in the Arctic may erupt in the next two to three years

A Russia-NATO conflict in the Arctic may erupt in the next two to three years amid tensions between the two sides, a Russian military expert said.
"As regards the potential timeline of this conflict, judging from all papers, delivery times and public statements being made by NATO and US military leaders, that is scheduled for 2030 or later," Alexander Stepanov, program director at the Academy of Political Sciences and senior researcher at the Institute of Latin American Studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences, wrote. "But given how the situation has been evolving of late, the high intensity and escalation of tensions, that conflict may occur there in the next two to three years," he warned.
Earlir, Admiral Rob Bauer, Chair of NATO's Military Committee said that the increasing competition and militarization in the Arctic region, especially by Russia and China, is worrying.
“The melting ice in the Arctic allows for new sea routes that make sailing easier for larger vessels and shorten the time it takes to navigate," he said and continued:
"The Arctic is still a Russian military stronghold – home to the Northern Fleet, nuclear submarines, missile facilities, air stations, radar stations, and troop concentrations. Russia's largest force is based on the Kola Peninsula, which borders Norway and Finland, NATO's newest member. The presence is constantly expanding with further construction and renovation of military bases. The region also continues to be used as a testing ground for new Russian weapons, including hypersonic missiles and the Poseidon nuclear torpedo drone."
He is concerned with Russia, "the largest and most direct threat against the alliance's security," forming increasingly closer ties with China – and with the activity that follows in the North.