NATO defense ministers gathered in Brussels on Thursday, February 12th, to reinforce a delicate dual focus: securing the High North while maintaining Ukraine as their top priority. The meeting saw the launch of “Arctic Sentry,” a new initiative designed to coordinate the activities of all 32 allies in the Arctic region. This move, integrating exercises such as Denmark’s Arctic Endurance and Norway’s Cold Response, follows long-standing demands from U.S. President Donald Trump regarding Arctic sovereignty.
Despite the shift toward the North, European ministers were quick to stress that the Eastern flank remains the alliance’s most critical concern. Leaders from Iceland, Finland, and Estonia warned against any “drift in focus.” German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius urged for an immediate ramp-up in military aid for Kyiv.
To sustain Ukraine’s defenses, allies are increasingly relying on the Prioritized Ukraine Requirements List (PURL). This mechanism allows European nations to purchase U.S.-made weapons for Ukraine, filling the gap left after Washington ceased direct donations. The UK has just announced a significant $500 million support package, with a portion dedicated to PURL for air defense interceptors, while Sweden is preparing its third major aid package.
Responding to the concerns about resources being driven away from Ukraine to the Arctic, Secretary General Mark Rutte insisted that NATO is strong enough to “do both.”
