EU scrambles to update Arctic policy as superpowers circle

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is in Greenland as Brussels prepares a revamped Arctic policy, delayed and under pressure to prioritise security and defence. Experts warn that without a robust update, Europe risks being marginalised as Russia, China, and the US compete for influence in the resource-rich region.

Bottom line — The EU's 2021 Arctic policy omitted military defence; the update is overdue, per Euronews.

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• The 2021 policy focused on climate, raw materials, and geostrategic influence, but the Commission now admits it needs an urgent revamp due to Russia's militarisation and China's Polar Silk Road, per Euronews.
• Estonian MEP Urmas Paet told Euronews the strategy must reflect 'what is ongoing' and that publication is 'very delayed'.
• EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said in February the Arctic is 'the front line of the global power competition', citing hybrid threats and Russia's military build-up.
• NATO launched Arctic Sentry in February to strengthen its posture; a senior NATO official told Euronews success depends on how Russia and China respond.
• Analysts Linda Solstrand Dahlberg and Maria Martisiute argue the new policy must integrate Arctic defence with European security, noting the region 'doesn't exist in a vacuum'.

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