EU Powers Pledge Strategic Push into the Arctic Amid Growing Security and Resource Race

Finland's Prime Minister Petteri Orpo and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz hold a joint leaders' press conference during the European Arctic Summit on September 14, 2026 at the Arktikum Science Centre in Rovaniemi, Finland [Jouni Porsanger TT/AFP]

European Union member states have committed to boosting investments in the Arctic as competition intensifies over regional security and valuable natural resources. Twelve nations convened on Monday to declare the Arctic a "geopolitical hotspot," urging the EU to adopt a more strategic and proactive stance in the European Arctic, according to a joint statement.

The gathering brought together leaders from Finland, Denmark, Estonia, France, Greece, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Poland, Romania, and Sweden. Discussions centered on increasing influence in the northern territory as retreating ice opens new pathways and opportunities.

Participants identified Russia as the primary threat to the European Arctic, while also acknowledging the strategic ambitions of China and the United States.

"This region has become a geopolitical hotspot," German Chancellor Friedrich Merz stated during a news conference. Although Germany is not an Arctic nation, Merz emphasized that his participation highlights the region's vital importance to broader European security, signaling the end of a long period of relative neglect. "Let me put it this way: High north – and low attention – is over," he noted.

Alongside EU members Finland, Sweden, and Denmark, countries such as Russia, Canada, Iceland, Norway, and the United States are traditionally classified as Arctic nations. Climate change has driven the retreat of ice sheets, exposing new security and economic frontiers and escalating geopolitical competition.

Russia has significantly increased its military footprint in recent years by reopening and modernizing Soviet-era bases.

"Russia poses the most significant and long-term threat to Arctic security and stability. In order to respond to the threat posed by Russia, the EU must treat the Arctic as a strategic frontier," declared Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo following the meeting.

Meanwhile, warming temperatures are making the Arctic more accessible for shipping, fishing, drilling, and mining. China has openly expressed its ambitions in the resource-rich territory, and the regional race has additionally strained relations among NATO allies.

Greenland, overseen by Denmark but outside the EU, has emerged as a point of contention between the EU and the United States, following claims by US President Trump that Denmark cannot adequately defend the island against Russia and China.

"I think everybody recognised that Greenland has been under a big pressure," remarked Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen.

Demonstrating its commitment, the European Union signed a declaration with Greenland last week to forge a stronger partnership, accompanied by a 200-million-euro ($232m) investment package designed to alleviate concerns stemming from repeated annexation threats by US President Trump.