Russia on Thursday accused Norway of causing a spike in tensions after Oslo requested additional U.S. Marines to be stationed along the border of the two countries.

The Russian Embassy in Norway called the request “clearly unfriendly, and it will not remain without consequences.”

{mosads}“This makes Norway less predictable and could cause growing tensions, triggering an arms race and destabilizing the situation in northern Europe,” the Russian Embassy said in a statement on its Facebook page.

“We believe that security in Europe must be equal and indivisible. It can only be built on the basis of compliance with real national interests, mutual respect and cooperation,” the embassy said.

Reuters first reported on the Russian response to Norway’s request.

Oslo is expected to ask the U.S. to send 700 Marines in 2019, Norwegian Foreign Minister Ine Eriksen Søreide said earlier this week. The additional troops would be based near the border with Russia.

Norway said that the decision to invite more U.S. troops centered on NATO training efforts, Reuters reported.

The U.S. initially sent Marines to the country last year to train for fighting in winter conditions. Those troops are scheduled to leave Norway at the end of the year.

The request for additional U.S. forces comes amid heightened concerns over Russia’s intentions in the region.

Russia annexed Crimea from Ukraine in 2014 in a move that was widely denounced by world leaders.