Russia’s military activities, climate change, and the pursuit of critical raw materials are prompting European leaders to reassess their strategy for the Arctic. Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo hosted a summit in Rovaniemi, Finland, where leaders gathered to discuss the evolving security environment in the region. Orpo stated, "There is a high demand for concrete EU action in the Arctic," emphasizing the region's significance in great power competition.
EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas highlighted concerns over Russia's reopening of former Soviet military bases and missile exercises in the Arctic. She noted, "We also see that China is increasingly more interested in the region, so we have to remain vigilant."
The summit included a demonstration by Finnish fighter jets at the northernmost air force base, underscoring the emphasis on security. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz described the Arctic as a geopolitical hotspot, citing Russia's military buildup and hybrid activities. He pointed out that the region also presents economic opportunities, particularly regarding critical raw materials.
Timo Koivurova from the Arctic Centre at the University of Lapland noted that while Western nations previously collaborated with Russia on scientific and climate issues, this cooperation has ceased following Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Finland and Sweden's accession to NATO has altered the security dynamics in northern Europe, with Finland's border with Russia now being a NATO border.
The European Commission plans to update its Arctic Strategy by October 2026, with a joint declaration from the summit calling for increased investment in military mobility, infrastructure, and connectivity in northern regions. Koivurova mentioned that Russia's focus on Ukraine currently limits its military capabilities, but investments in the Arctic may resume post-conflict.
He also pointed out that tensions among Western partners, particularly related to former US President Donald Trump's proposals regarding Canada and Greenland, have complicated Arctic governance. Veteran observer Markku Heikkila noted a division in the Arctic, with Russia forming one bloc and EU member states, Norway, Iceland, and Canada defending a rules-based order.
Climate change remains a critical issue, with scientists predicting that the central Arctic Ocean could become largely ice-free by 2040 to 2050. Koivurova stated that climate change is reshaping the Arctic at a rate four times faster than the global average, impacting all activities in the region. He criticized the Trump administration's stance on climate change, which he said hindered international cooperation.
At the summit's conclusion, Prime Minister Orpo called for strategic investments to enhance Arctic resilience, including in infrastructure and technological innovation. Rovaniemi, known as the hometown of Santa Claus, is also home to the "Arktikum" museum and science center, where the summit took place. It remains unclear if any summit participants visited Santa Claus during their stay.