The US Steps Back From Arctic Science, Paves Way for China Six weeks into Donald Trump’s presidential term has seen major cuts and mass firings across the board. The US Arctic research community is now facing imminent cutbacks at a dire expense for the entire region. The void left by the US may be filled by other non-Arctic actors looking for a way in, such as China.
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.
Finland Withdraws From the Barents Euro-Arctic Council Finland will withdraw from the Barents Euro-Arctic Council after 2025 and rather invest in other formats for cooperation in the North. The country now has an idea about designing a joint strategic agenda for the northern regions of Finland, Norway and Sweden.
"China's Intentions in The Arctic Are Unclear - And That is a Growing Concern" Reykjavik (High North News): “When I first attended the Arctic Circle Assembly conference, the tone and content were different than now. The focus on security in the Arctic has become much stronger", says Admiral Rob Bauer, head of NATO's military committee. Now he warns about China's unclear, two-faced and increasing activity in the Arctic and the worrying Sino-Russian ties.
Researchers’ Response to the Swedish War Warning The Swedes must prepare for war, the country’s defense leadership recently stated. This is timely language, says one Norwegian researcher – while another supports Norway's sober threat communication. Such strong wording is unnecessary in Finland, notes a Finnish researcher.
Researchers’ Response to the Swedish War Warning The Swedes must prepare for war, the country’s defense leadership recently stated. This is timely language, says one Norwegian researcher – while another supports Norway's sober threat communication. Such strong wording is unnecessary in Finland, notes a Finnish researcher.
Dangerous Waters: Ukraine War Could Divert Oil Shipments from Black Sea to Arctic Ocean A looming tanker war in the Black Sea as part of the larger Ukraine conflict could elevate the strategic importance of Russia’s Northern Sea Route. The country has begun sending regular oil shipments to Asia via the Arctic; and additional volume could be re-routed that way, experts say.
EU Received 300 Shipments of LNG from Russia Since Beginning of Ukraine War EU countries, led by Belgium, France, and Spain, have imported Russian LNG representing approximately $20 billion in revenue, since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Data show the pace of deliveries from the Yamal LNG project in 2023 is on track to match and possibly surpass last year’s totals.
Chair of the Norwegian Defense Commission: "Extremely Important to Also Focus On Reassurance in the High North" Bodø (High North News): Norway must strengthen its defense significantly – and in a time of tension and rearmament it is more important than ever with an eye toward reassurance vis-à-vis Russia, believes the Chair of the Norwegian Defense Commission. "We must do what we can to avoid war," he says.
A Tour of Eradicated Russian Protest Art The center of the border town Kirkenes in Northern Norway has been transformed into a gallery of protest art originating from Russian streets. With their war and regime criticism, the original works were quickly removed by the Russian authorities, but live on digitally through the app of the art group Yav.
“No Difference Between the North and the South in Regard to Attitudes Towards Russia,” Says Researchers Kirkenes: New research findings debunk the notion that Northern Norwegians have other attitudes towards Russia than people in the south of Norway – and that they would thus be more naive when dealing with the neighboring country in the northeast.
Finland's MFA: The Barents Cooperation Has Had a Reneissance Kirkenes: The Barents Cooperation is very meaningful, also without Russia, and it has flourished again through increasingly engaged Nordic members, asserts Finland's MFA Pekka Haavisto at the Kirkenes Conference.
Powerful Opening of Barents Spektakel, One Year After the Invasion Kirkenes: Last Friday, in the Norwegian border town of Kirkenes, there was strong advocacy for Ukrainian freedom and for art as a point of contact with Russian regime and war opponents. Within this contact lies a vital fight against dehumanization and therefore against authoritarian Russia, says Director of the Fritt Ord foundation.
Finland Explores New Direction for Its Arctic Policy Finland wants to update its Arctic policy following the war in Ukraine and will kick off the debate during Arctic Frontiers in Tromsø, Northern Norway, next week.
Norwegian Russia Diplomats: The Barents Cooperation Has Not Been In Vain The Barents cooperation has turned 30 years. This interaction – especially the people-to-people dimension – has created a less tense and more constructive neighborship in the High North and this is not zeroed out because of the Ukraine War, believes veterans of the Norwegian MFA.
After 30 Years, the Barents Cooperation Faces an Uncertain Future On Wednesday, three decades of cooperation in the Barents region will be marked in Kirkenes, on the border to Russia. The history and future of this distinctive cooperation format in the High North – which is on shaky ground due to the Ukraine war – will be illuminated from different angles.
Sweden Prepares for Massive Shift Within Security and Defense The foundation for Sweden’s new security and defense policy is to be laid by a forum for forming broad political settlements. The Swedish Armed Forces have also submitted a future study. The Prime Minister emphasizes the seriousness of the present time.
Norwegian MFA: Low Tension in the High North Should Still Be Our Aim Balancing between deterrence and reassurance is still important in the Norwegian security policy – and low tension in the North is still something to aim for, says Norwegian MFA Anniken Huitfeldt at the Russia Conference on Tuesday.
The Norwegian Government Strengthens Preparedness of the Armed Forces The Norwegian Armed Forces are raising its level of preparedness from today, Tuesday. The military activity will be adjusted according to the serious security situation Europe finds itself in.
Finnmark Chief of Police: "I Share the Concern About the Civilian Footprint in the North In Northern Norway, there is an ongoing debate regarding the port ban exemption for Russian fishing vessels. The Finnmark Chief of Police agrees that a strong civilian presence and workplaces are important, but also believes that security concerns argue for a complete ban.
Russian State-Owned Company Wants to Resume Flights Between Svalbard and Moscow Trust Arktikugol, Russia's company on Svalbard asks Norwegian authorities to revitalize charter flights between the Russian capital and Svalbard Airport in Longyearbyen.
The Norwegian Police Security Service: Svalbard and the High North Are Even More Important to Russia On Wednesday, The Norwegian Police Security Service (PST) held a press conference on the intelligence threat against Norway. The High North and specifically Svalbard are of greater importance to Russia, emphasizes the assistant PST chief.
Russian Fishing Vessels Now Only Allowed Access to Three Northern Norwegian Ports – And Will Be Controlled at Each Docking The Norwegian government has decided that Russian fishing vessels will only be allowed to dock in Kirkenes, Båtsfjord, and Tromsø. They will also be inspected upon arrival. "We now have intel which indicates a need to increase control of these," says the Norwegian Minister of Foreign Affairs.
Russian Artist: "To Show My Art in Bodø Is Like a Fresh Breath of Freedom" Cooperation with the Norwegian side is of great support, feels Russian artist and war opponent Ulyana Podkorytova. Her art film was recently shown in Bodø. Interaction with critical voices in the art field in Russia must be maintained, believe the curators behind the project.
