European powers will step up Arctic security focus

Significance Western military interest and engagement in the Arctic has grown significantly in recent years following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Germany, France and the United Kingdom have all updated their Arctic approaches to reflect rising geopolitical tensions. Impacts NATO’s efforts to increase capabilities will not change the Russian military advantage in the Arctic in the near future. Tensions between the West and Russia have limited the scope for multilateral solutions to issues affecting the Arctic region. Donald Trump’s election victory will incentivise countries to spend more on defence, especially Nordic and Eastern European states.