EU leaders put Arctic security at centre as new sea routes emerge

European leaders met in Finland to assess mounting competition and risks in the Arctic. The talks will shape the EU's security-first Arctic policy amid climate change and geopolitical strain.Image used for representational purposes onlyEuropean leaders met on Monday to discuss rising competition in the Arctic, where global warming is opening new shipping routes, countries are competing for natural resources and Russia's military build-up is adding to security concerns. The meeting comes as the European Union prepares to update its Arctic policy, with security set to take centre stage for the first time.The two-day European Arctic Summit began on Sunday in Rovaniemi, Finland. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen were among the leaders expected to attend, as European governments also weighed the region's growing importance amid tensions over Greenland, changing trade routes and pressure from other global powers.The summit followed Norway's seizure of a Russian vessel earlier this month in the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard at Ukraine's request, a move that drew condemnation from Russian President Vladimir Putin. As the meetings began, Finland's Prime Minister Petteri Orpo said the Arctic was "very important" for European security and prosperity, and that a "clear picture" and "common understanding" were needed."We have natural resources. We have new sea routes because of climate change. But also we have threats. That's why we need concrete actions," Orpo said. "There is so much we can do together." The Centres for European Policy Network, a think tank, said the summit was taking place against an "extremely dynamic backdrop". It pointed to accelerating climate change, China's growing trade through the Arctic, and conflict around the Strait of Hormuz, which has increased the importance of the Northeast Passage for maritime shipments. The group said the meeting would serve as a "dress rehearsal" for the EU's expected Arctic policy revamp later this autumn.Climate change has been thinning Arctic ice, raising the prospect of a northwest passage for international trade and renewing competition with Russia, China and other countries over access to the region's mineral resources. At the same time, the EU has been dealing with US President Donald Trump's repeated pressure over Greenland, the self-governing territory of EU member Denmark. Trump has repeatedly said the resource-rich island should be part of the United States, a position opposed by Greenland's government. Last week, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen offered 200 million euros over the next two years to support Greenland in tackling climate change and improving internet links, hydropower plants, fisheries and education. The summit in Finland brought together European leaders as they reviewed the Arctic's growing role in security, trade and access to resources.With PTI Inputs- EndsPublished By: India Today Web Desk Published On: Sep 14, 2026 15:40 IST