EU Calls for Stronger Arctic Presence Amid NATO Expansion and Russian Tensions

EU leaders have called for a stronger presence in the Arctic as NATO expands its military activities in the region, citing what they describe as a growing security threat from Russia.

Moscow has repeatedly dismissed such accusations, saying that NATO is undermining traditional regional cooperation and fueling tensions.

At the first ever European Arctic Summit, held in Rovaniemi, Finland, on September 13-14, twelve EU countries urged a “more strategic and proactive role” in the region and called for more resources to be devoted to Arctic activities amid “evolving geopolitical realities.”

“The European Union should reinforce its position in the Arctic, including through enhanced preparedness,” Finland, Denmark, Estonia, France, Greece, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Poland, Romania, and Sweden said in a joint declaration after the meeting.

Of the 12 signatories, only Denmark, Finland, and Sweden are Arctic states. The five Arctic states outside the EU are Russia, the US, Canada, Norway, and Iceland.

Finland and Sweden joined NATO in 2023 and 2024, respectively, expanding the US-led military bloc’s presence in the region. Moscow warned at the time that while their accession did not in itself pose a direct threat to Russia, the deployment of NATO military infrastructure on their territory would prompt a response.

Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo on Monday described Russia as “the most significant and long-term threat to Arctic security and stability,” saying the EU should treat the region as a “strategic frontier.” German Chancellor Friedrich Merz called it a “geopolitical hotspot” and claimed Russia was expanding its military capabilities there.

Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal claimed that security in the Baltic Sea and the Arctic was “one and the same” for Tallinn, naming Russia as the main concern.

The Baltic states have been among the EU’s more hawkish members on Russia since the escalation of the Ukraine conflict in 2022. All three border Russia and have pressed for tougher measures against Moscow and further military buildup.

NATO ramped up its activities in the Far North earlier this year by launching the Arctic Sentry initiative and establishing the multinational Forward Land Forces presence in Finland in June.

EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said China was also becoming “increasingly more interested” in the Arctic and said it was necessary to “remain vigilant.” Beijing has rejected Western claims that its activities pose a threat, accusing Washington of using China as a pretext for increasing its own military presence in the region.

The Arctic has also seen tensions between the US and Europe due to President Donald Trump’s efforts to acquire Greenland. Trump has argued that US control of the Danish autonomous territory is necessary for national security, citing Russia and China.

The EU is not a member of the Arctic Council but participates as a de facto observer. It nevertheless adopted its own Arctic policy in 2021 and is preparing an updated version for October. The summit also discussed expanding European icebreaker capacity.

Moscow has warned that an increasing military buildup is undermining the Arctic’s traditional role as an area of cooperation. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said last month that NATO was trying to turn the region into a new front against Russia and its partners.

Lavrov said the risk of incidents was increasing and it could lead to an armed confrontation with “potentially catastrophic consequences.”

Russia has maintained that it does not threaten NATO states and remains open to cooperation in the Arctic. President Vladimir Putin said earlier this year that the region is strategically important to Russia for national security, industry, and transport, particularly as disruptions elsewhere increase the importance of northern shipping routes.