Commenting on the recent Norwegian media reports that NATO is increasing its military buildup in Norway, thus risking a military confrontation with Russia in the north, Russian military and political expert Viktor Baranets told that the country should be viewed as 'NATO's backyard', positioned to "fortify the north flank of the Alliance."

Axar.az reports citing Sputnik that, the recent report of Norwegian website Steigan.no rings the alarm bells about the militarization of Scandinavian Peninsula, fearing that Norway, in particular, is turning from a peaceful region into a military foothold of NATO, which can't but causes the concerns of Russia.

The website fears that such a military policy of Norway combined with its support of the anti-Russian sanctions could "hardly be regarded as an invitation to a better neighborhood relationship with Russia." Many suggest, it says, that it could be a step not only towards a new Cold War but towards a potential military confrontation with Russia, a nuclear-weapon state.

The issue was discussed by Russian military and political expert, retired colonel and columnist Viktor Baranets, who explained why Russia should closely monitor Norway's military plans.

"It could not but cause Russia's concerns as Norway is Russia's actual neighbor, where NATO has been recently fundamentally increasing its military buildup: they have an American command there, US marines, the radio detection and ranging equipment, which is located in full view of Russia's naval base and other NATO military facilities," he told.

"Norway should be viewed as NATO's backyard, positioned to fortify the north flank of the Alliance. From an amicable neighbor it has virtually turned into a bear with American fangs," Baranets added.