The prime ministers of Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, and Canada announced closer collaboration after a meeting in Oslo, stressing the need for stronger partnerships amid war, global crises, and increasing strategic competition in the Arctic.
The six NATO members said they would expand cooperation not only in defence but also in trade, low-carbon energy, technology, and critical mineral resources. They also reiterated their “unwavering” support for Ukraine.
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said that with the war in Ukraine, tensions in the Middle East and changes in U.S. policy toward Russia, countries with shared interests must work more closely together. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney warned that security challenges in the Arctic are growing as warfare evolves and new technologies reshape global conflicts.
The leaders also confirmed that, in their view, Russia poses the main threat in the Arctic, while China is seen as a threat in the broader perspective. As melting sea ice opens access to natural resources and shipping routes, the area is gaining strategic importance, they noted.
In February, NATO launched its “Arctic Sentry” mission to strengthen security in the region and to alleviate the pressure placed on Greenland by U.S. President Donald Trump, who had claimed it for national security reasons.
