Europe turns to Arctic security as great-power rivalry intensifies

European leaders will gather in Finland’s Rovaniemi on Sunday, September 13, to discuss strengthening Europe’s Arctic flank as rivalry with Russia, China and the United States intensifies in the High North.

Hosted by Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo, the Arctic Summit will address the European Union’s role in a region where President Donald Trump has expressed interest in Greenland, Russia is increasingly challenging Europe, and China is seeking a foothold.

“Because the race is with Russians and the Chinese for use and control of the Arctic, there is a joint interest” for the EU and the US to act together, Orpo told Bloomberg. The Arctic is “where the interests converge,” he said, noting US pressure for Europe to assume greater responsibility for its defence and the presence of critical Russian military installations.

The EU is preparing a new Arctic strategy to replace one drawn up before Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. A draft summit communiqué calls for a “more strategic and proactive role in the European Arctic” and “adequate resources,” including greater funding for military mobility, transport and rail links, digital connectivity, satellite technology and responses to hybrid threats.

“Russia’s ambitions to increase its influence in the Arctic, combined with its hostility toward Europe, including the increase in hybrid activities, highlight the need to strengthen the EU’s Arctic policy,” the draft says.

Finland’s 1,340-kilometre border with Russia extends north toward the Arctic and the Kola Peninsula, home to Russia’s Northern Fleet, ballistic-missile submarines, nuclear forces and significant air power. “Europe is defended here,” Orpo said.

The European Commission has proposed €131 billion for defence, security and space in the next EU budget, five times current funding, while military-mobility spending would increase tenfold. The EU is also investing €200 million in Greenland.

Participants include German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, European Council President António Costa, EU foreign-policy chief Kaja Kallas, Commissioner Jozef Síkela and leaders from Denmark, Poland, Romania and the Baltic states. France’s Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot will represent President Emmanuel Macron.

The summit will also examine joint European icebreaker procurement. Finland is building four of 11 new US icebreakers and wants to share its expertise.

“The important point is that Europe recognises Finland’s special position on the Arctic eastern flank and, more broadly, the strategic importance of the entire North,” Orpo said. “Strengthening the North is not only in Finland’s interest — it’s in the interest of Europe as a whole.”

By Tamilla Hasanova