EU calls for new Arctic strategy as Greenland crisis highlights security stakes

Amidst a tense geopolitical standoff over Greenland, the European Union has signaled its intent to play a more assertive role in the rapidly changing Arctic region. Addressing the Arctic Frontiers Conference in Norway, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs Kaja Kallas declared it is "time for a fresh EU Arctic policy, one that reflects the times we live in." Her call comes directly after US President Donald Trump's controversial push for control of Greenland, which Kallas described as a "structural shift" in transatlantic relations with profound implications for the High North.

Greenland's pivotal strategic value in a contested Arctic

Kallas pinpointed why Greenland has become a focal point of great power interest, noting its "critical raw materials, key submarine routes, and its location along the shortest flight path for Russian ballistic missiles." She acknowledged the United States' strategic concerns while asserting equal European stakes: "The EU understands that Greenland is strategically important for the United States. It is also strategically important for us in the European Union." Crucially, she balanced this by reaffirming the EU's unwavering support for the sovereignty of its member state Denmark and the right of Greenlanders to self-determination under the UN Charter.

A comprehensive EU approach: security, society, and sovereignty

The proposed EU policy framework extends beyond hard military security. Kallas emphasized that true regional security encompasses "resilient societies and sustainable livelihoods." While acknowledging NATO as Europe's security cornerstone, she highlighted the EU's own growing role in defense, stating the bloc must maintain "credible defense capabilities to act as a deterrent" against rising military threats. This approach aims to protect European interests "without provoking conflict," navigating a cautious path in a region destabilized by the war in Ukraine, economic coercion, and challenges from other global actors.

Greenland's diplomatic response and the path forward

Responding to the international focus, Greenland's Foreign Minister Vivian Motzfeldt expressed a measured optimism. She framed the crisis as a defense of fundamental principles, calling for "cooperation, dialogue and respect" for international law. Motzfeldt confirmed that Greenland is actively pursuing a diplomatic solution through the trilateral negotiations that began last week between Nuuk, Copenhagen, and Washington, stating, "I am hopeful and optimistic that we will find common ground that respects our red lines." For global observers, including nations like Türkiye that monitor shifts in polar governance and resource competition, the outcome will test the resilience of international norms against unilateral geopolitical ambitions.