Russian ‘Zombie Tanker’ Sails Up Norwegian Coastline After Being Blocked by German Police Germany has taken the unprecedented step of barring a notorious “zombie tanker” from its Baltic waters after uncovering forged registration and serious safety concerns. The aging shadow-fleet vesselTavianhas since sailed north past Norway toward the Arctic, highlighting the growing risks and cat-and-mouse dynamics of Russia’s sanctions-evasion oil trade.
Norway to Expand Submarine Fleet With Two Additional German-Built Boats to Counter Rising Russian Threat The Norwegian government supports the acquisition of two additional submarines from Germany, boosting its order with Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems (TKMS) to six boats; a move intended to strengthen Norway’s deterrence and surveillance capacity in the North Atlantic and Barents Sea.
Germany Signals Green Light to Exit Yamal LNG Deal Under EU’s 19th Sanctions Package Germany may invoke “force majeure” to exit Yamal LNG deal. The EU’s 19th sanctions package provides state-owned SEFE legal cover to exit the Russian LNG contract, Germany says. The news is the first concrete step of long-term purchase agreements being unwound, signaling the beginning of the end for Russian gas exports to Europe.
Iceland and Germany to Enhance Defense Cooperation Iceland and Germany recently signed a letter of intent on increased defense cooperation. "We are ready to assume greater responsibility for stability and security in the High North," says the German Minister of Defense, Boris Pistorius.
Major German Maritime Live-Fire Exercise off Andøya, Northern Norway Ten German naval vessels are now practicing live-fire with missiles, torpedoes, and artillery off the coast of Andøya in Northern Norway. This is the German Navy's largest firing exercise in decades.
Major Nordic Rescue Exercise in Northern Finland This week, the Rescue Borealis exercise takes place in Oulu, Northern Finland. It will develop the preparedness cooperation across Finland, Norway, and Sweden, and specifically test joint response to CBRN threats.
Denmark, Greenland and Iceland's Reactions To Trump Oslo (High North News): "Just a year and a half ago, Greenland's foreign policy strategy was basically one big invitation to the US for cooperation. Then Trump destroyed the trust and interest from Greenland," says Ulrik Pram Gad, Senior Researcher at the Danish Institute for International Studies.
Extensive Training Activity in the High North With US Carrier Strike Group The USS Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group has recently been training with Norwegian and other allied forces off the coast of Northern Norway. "Our partnership with US forces is close despite changes in US security policy," says the Chief of the Norwegian Joint Headquarters.
Arctic Light 2025: Denmark to Hold Military Exercise in Greenland with NATO Allies On Tuesday, the Danish Armed Forces will commence a major exercise in Greenland, with contributions from France, Germany, Sweden and Norway. The aim is to strengthen Denmark and NATO’s operational readiness in the region, as well as provide support for civil preparedness.
Arctic Military Leaders Met Near the Norway-Russia Border: Discussed Hybrid Threats Last week, the Arctic Security Forces Roundtable was held in Kirkenes, Northern Norway, focusing on grey zone threats. "It is important to create understanding among our close allies about how the security situation in the Arctic is perceived in a turbulent and uncertain time," says the Norwegian Armed Forces.
Joint Viking 2025: 10,000 Soldiers From 9 Nations Exercise Defending Northern Norway This year's largest military exercise in Norway kicked off on Monday. Norwegian forces are now practicing on countering military threats in the North – reinforced by allies from Western Europe and North America. "Even more important in light of today’s uncertain security situation," says Deputy Commander of Norway's Joint Headquarters.
Joint Viking 2025: 10,000 Soldiers From 9 Nations Exercise Defending Northern Norway This year's largest military exercise in Norway kicked off on Monday. Norwegian forces are now practicing on countering military threats in the North – reinforced by allies from Western Europe and North America. "Even more important in light of today’s uncertain security situation," says Deputy Commander of Norway's Joint Headquarters.
Germany Can’t Shake Russian Gas: LNG Purchases from Arctic Yamal Project Skyrocket Germany joined France, Belgium, and Spain as key importers of Russian LNG in 2024, a new study reveals. German energy company SEFE, federally-owned by the government, imported 58 shipments from Yamal LNG into the EU port of Dunkirk, a 650 percent increase over 2023. Some of this Russian LNG finds its way into Germany counter to its government’s assurances that it does not import Russian gas.
Norway and France Forge Closer Defense Ties With an View to the High North Norway and France recently signed a letter of intent on enhanced defense cooperation, emphasizing the significance of situational awareness and presence in the High North. "Protecting the maritime areas in Northern Europe is the key to European security," says the French minister of defense.
Norway Explores Strategic Partnership With France, the UK, Germany, and the US on Frigates Norway is to acquire new frigates in a strategic partnership with a close ally possessing coinciding strategic interests and an eye for the High North. France, the UK, Germany, and the US have now been selected as possible partner countries, says the Norwegian MoD.
Germany Rejects Vessel Carrying Russian Arctic LNG, But Continues Indirect Imports Via EU Neighbors Germany’s Ministry of the Economy instructed a state-owned LNG terminal operator to reject a shipment of Russian Arctic liquefied natural gas. The decision affirms the country’s position to not directly import Russian gas via pipeline or as LNG. But German imports of the country’s gas continue indirectly via the continent’s gas network.
Norway Proposes a NATO Hub for Securing Critical Undersea Infrastructure in the High North On Thursday, Norway and Germany launched a joint initiative to strengthen NATO’s role in protecting critical undersea infrastructure. Norway offers to establish a hub for monitoring in the High North, while Germany wants to take responsibility for the Baltic Sea.
Evidence-Based Policymaking in Pessimistic Times: Germany’s New Arctic Guidelines Op-ed: Germany introduces its new Arctic policy at the Arctic Circle Assembly. To tackle the crisis of slow-moving political action and fulfil the policy’s promise of strengthening research cooperation, more science diplomacy beyond the STEM-disciplines is needed, writes the researchers Charlotte Gehrke and Dorothea Wehrmann in this op-ed.
New Important Step for Norway and Germany's Space Cooperation On Wednesday, Norway and Germany signed a declaration facilitating German launches from Andøya Spaceport. With this, a significant piece is in place for Isar Aerospace to launch its first satellite from the island in Northern Norway – which could also become Europe's first satellite launch.
Germany Supports Swedish Push for EU Ban of Russian LNG Just days after Swedish calls to sanction imports of Russian liquefied natural gas, German government officials confirmed their support for an EU-wide ban. The measures could be included in the upcoming 14th sanctions package, but are likely to face resistance from major Russian LNG importing countries such as Spain, Belgium and France.
Germany Continues to Import Russian Natural Gas Through Belgium and the Netherlands Despite stopping direct imports of Russian natural gas in 2022, significant quantities continue to reach Germany via its neighbors new data show. Advocates urge Germany to stop buying Russian fuels and to stop thus indirectly funding its war efforts.
Norway Supplied Almost Half of German Natural Gas Imports During First Nine Months of 2023 In a stark reversal of long-standing gas flows, Norway has now fully adopted Russia’s role as Germany’s largest gas supplier. Norway’s share of German gas supply has increased from just under 20 percent in 2021 to 48 percent in 2023 thus far. Meanwhile, Russian gas major Gazprom faces its lowest production in more than 40 years.
“Security in the Arctic is of Greatest Interest to France,” says French Commander The French Navy's nuclear submarine and support vessel which recently docked in Tromsø, Northern Norway, have carried out long-term missions in the North Atlantic. This shows France's allied commitment to security in northern areas and desire to learn more about them, asserts French Commander.
Increased Allied Military Presence in Iceland Iceland has recently welcomed German fighters, US strategic bombers – as well as the commander of both the US Air Forces in Europe and NATO's Air Command. At the same time, Russian strategic bombers have carried out two sorties in the High North.
Increased Allied Military Presence in Iceland Iceland has recently welcomed German fighters, US strategic bombers – as well as the commander of both the US Air Forces in Europe and NATO's Air Command. At the same time, Russian strategic bombers have carried out two sorties in the High North.
Norway Now Germany’s Largest Gas Supplier, Future Supply from Arctic To Support Exports Norway supplied 33 percent of Germany’s gas needs in 2022, making it the country’s largest supplier, well ahead of Russia. Norway’s position as a key provider of energy to Germany is set to further increase in the years to come, including from new Arctic fields coming on line and new discoveries above the Arctic Circle.
Large Army and Navy Exercises in the Nordic Region This Late Fall In these times, this fall's most extensive exercises for land and naval forces are being carried out in Northern Norway, Eastern Finland, and the Gulf of Finland.
Allied Maritime Sharpshooting Exercise Started Monday off Andøy Island, Norway This week, eight marine vessels from Norway, Denmark, Germany, Belgium, and the Netherlands are to practice sharpshooting in North Norwegian waters off Andøy Island during the Mjølner exercise. The Norwegian army is also to participate in the exercise for the first time, using its new combat air defense.
Novatek Comes West, Opens its First LNG Filling Station in Rostock, Germany Launched in the German city of Rostock on December 4, Novatek’s first LNG filling station in Europe embodies the company’s long-term ambition to expand westwards
Germany's Arctic Policy Calls for More Restrictions in the Arctic and Receives Mixed Reactions Some fear the new Arctic policy guidelines, if adopted by the EU, could have consequences for businesses operating in the Arctic. Other applauds the Germans for making commitments and addressing how they can contribute to solve global issues.
