European leaders urge stronger EU presence in the Arctic

Representatives of 12 countries meeting in Rovaniemi, Finland, have urged the European Union to strengthen its presence in the Arctic, ERR reported. The call reflects growing concern over Russia’s aggression and US President Donald Trump’s statements about bringing Greenland under US control.

Although only three EU countries include Arctic territories, the participation of 12 countries shows that the region’s importance is receiving wider recognition. Representatives of all three Baltic states also attended the summit.

Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal said Estonia was the northernmost non-Arctic country and that developments in the region directly affected it.

“Arctic security is linked to our security, and this message will certainly be heard,” Michal said.

Participants openly discussed the threat posed by Russia and, to some extent, China, whose growing presence in the Arctic was described as contrary to Europe’s interests. They said Arctic security broadly required keeping Russia and China as far away from the region as possible, although no specific plans for achieving this have yet been put forward.

Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo highlighted the risks of cooperation between the two authoritarian countries. He called for tougher measures against Russia, additional sanctions and efforts to curb its shadow fleet.

Orpo said that, alongside supporting Ukraine, Europe should continue dialogue with Beijing because China could help bring the war in Ukraine to an end.

Kaja Kallas, the European Union’s foreign policy chief, said Russia had changed the threat perception of Arctic countries. Norway and Iceland, which are directly connected to the Arctic, as well as EU member states, now see the region as less peaceful and believe Russia is preparing to create greater threats, she said.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said the EU needed to be more present and visible in the Arctic in order to complement NATO’s efforts.

No binding document was signed in Rovaniemi. The ideas raised at the meeting are expected to be considered in the EU’s new Arctic strategy, which is due to be adopted soon.