The EU, led by Germany and a group of member states, pledged a stronger strategic presence in the Arctic to safeguard interests amid growing great-power competition. Leaders called for enhanced monitoring, infrastructure investment and measures to counter hybrid threats, while highlighting economic opportunities from raw materials to shipping routes. The European Commission announced a €200 million package for Greenland and will incorporate the summit outcomes into a new Arctic strategy, with Finland pushing to include icebreaker capabilities. Climate change—warming the Arctic roughly four times faster than the global average—frames the urgency of the response.
EU Leaders Pledge Stronger Strategic Engagement in the Arctic
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz watches a demonstration of an F/A-18 Hornet jet during a visit to the Lapland Air Wing air force base before the start of the Arctic Summit. The summit, attended by European heads of state and government, is expected to focus on economic, environmental, and defense issues. (is associated with: «Europeans agree to step up drive for influence in the Arctic») Michael Kappeler/dpa
Germany and a coalition of European Union countries have vowed to intensify their engagement in the Arctic to better defend European interests and compete with Russia, China and the United States in the rapidly changing region.
Summit Outcome
In a joint declaration after talks in Rovaniemi, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and leaders from 11 other EU states said: "We agree that the EU needs to step up its action to promote stability, sustainable development and prosperity while safeguarding its interests." The declaration calls on the European Union to adopt a more strategic and proactive role in the European Arctic.
Key Commitments
Leaders urged improved monitoring and information-sharing and greater investment in transport links, digital networks, military mobility and other critical infrastructure. The statement singled out the need to address hybrid threats and to better protect critical infrastructure on land and at sea.
Security Concerns
Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo described the Arctic as "a central arena of great power competition," noting that climate change and new sea routes are increasing strategic interest in the area. Orpo warned that "Russia poses the most significant and long-term threat to Arctic security and stability," and said the EU must treat the Arctic as a strategic frontier. Chancellor Merz added that Russia "is building up its military capabilities here" and that its presence is used for ongoing hybrid activities.
Hybrid activities in the leaders' formulation include a mix of military, economic, intelligence and propaganda tools such as sabotage against undersea cables, cyberattacks and disinformation campaigns.
Economic And Climate Dimensions
The declaration also highlights economic opportunities: access to critical raw materials, space-related technologies, new shipping routes, improved connectivity and tourism. EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced closer cooperation with Greenland and a €200 million investment package to help build infrastructure for extracting valuable raw materials.
EU Commissioner for International Partnerships Jozef Síkela emphasized climate risk, noting that "the Arctic is basically warming four times faster than the world's average," which has direct implications for security and economic resilience.
Geography, Partners And Next Steps
Twelve EU leaders backed the declaration: those of Finland, Denmark, Estonia, France, Germany, Greece, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Poland, Romania and Sweden. In addition to EU members Finland, Sweden and Denmark, other Arctic nations include Canada, Iceland, Norway, Russia and the United States.
The summit did not explicitly reference disputed remarks by former U.S. President Donald Trump concerning Greenland, but Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said participants recognized Greenland "has been under big pressure" and expressed optimism that consultations between the U.S., Denmark and Greenland could ease tensions.
The European Commission will use the summit outcomes to shape a new Arctic strategy focused on security, sustainable economic development and support for local communities, with climate change as an overarching concern. Finland is pressing for European icebreaker capabilities to be included in the strategy, arguing they are essential to maintaining trade routes and a reliable presence in the High North.
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