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EU to bolster tracking of Russian shadow fleet and hybrid attacks with new Arctic Strategy
· Confirmed
In Short: The European Union has unveiled a new Arctic strategy aimed at bolstering surveillance and expanding icebreaker fleets to counter Russian military expansion, according to AFP and DW (Germany).
The European Union has unveiled a new Arctic strategy aimed at bolstering surveillance and expanding icebreaker fleets to counter Russian military expansion, according to AFP and DW (Germany). The strategy, announced by EU chief Ursula von der Leyen, underscores the bloc's shift from climate concerns to security priorities in the Arctic region.
AFP reports that the EU plans to invest 200 million euros ($232 million) in Greenland, while DW (Germany) highlights the bloc's intention to develop options for joint procurement, pooling, and sharing of key capabilities such as icebreakers.
Both outlets agree that the EU's strategy includes better pooling of central EU data and that of member states to protect infrastructure like undersea cables and track threats such as Russia's shadow fleet of sanctions-busting oil tankers.
According to DW (Germany), EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas stated that Russia is expanding its military footprint in the high north, reopening Soviet-era bases and testing new weapons in the region.
The EU's energy commissioner, Dan Jorgensen, reiterated the bloc's stance that oil, coal, and gas must remain undeveloped in the Arctic, despite pressure from non-EU countries like Norway to soften this position.
AFP and DW (Germany) report that the EU's strategy aims to address drone incursions, GPS jamming, and the sabotage of undersea cables, which undermine Arctic security.
Kyivindependent (Ukraine) and Briefs Finance (Colombia) highlight the EU's recalibration of its stance on Arctic oil and gas, with Briefs Finance noting that a draft of the EU's Arctic strategy omits any reference to a moratorium on new drilling.
Kyivindependent reports that European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen warned that Russia's rebuilding of its Arctic military footprint and pursuit of hybrid strategies against neighbors impacts the EU as a whole.
EU foreign affairs chief Kaja Kallas, quoted by DW (Germany), emphasized that when sovereignty, territorial integrity, and the rules underpinning regional stability can no longer be taken for granted, the EU must act and change its strategic posture.
The EU's Arctic strategy, as outlined by von der Leyen, aims to invest in stronger security, resilient infrastructure, and economic opportunities for the benefit of Arctic residents and the shared space.
Despite some differences in the details, both AFP and DW (Germany) agree that the EU's new Arctic strategy is a response to the growing competition in the region, driven by Russia, the United States, and China, as global warming causes sea ice to melt.
The EU's recalibration of its Arctic strategy reflects a broader shift towards security concerns, while still maintaining its commitment to environmental protection and sustainable development in the Arctic region.
What's confirmed
- "The Arctic is one place where the tectonic plates of geopolitics are colliding," said EU chief Ursula von der Leyen.
- "Drone incursions, GPS jamming, and the sabotage of undersea cables undermine Arctic security." Meanwhile, as it lags behind Russia, the bloc wants to ramp up the number of icebreakers Europe has at its disposal and "will develop options for joint procurement, pooling and sharing" the key capabilities.
- Meanwhile, the EU's energy commissioner Dan Jorgensen said the bloc's position "on drilling in the Arctic remains the same and it's very clear: oil, coal and gas must stay in the ground".
- "When we see that sovereignty, territorial integrity, and the rules that have underpinned stability in the region can no longer be taken for granted, we have to act and change our strategic posture."
- "Russia is expanding its military footprint in the high north. Moscow has reopened Soviet area bases and is testing new weapons in the region," EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said.
- According to the European Commission, it will pursue an international pledge aimed at stopping any additional Arctic oil and gas development - and the buying of those resources - whenever such actions "poses a threat to the Arctic ecosystem."
What's still developing
- As Moscow has built up its military presence and Washington menaced Greenland, the 27-nation bloc has been forced to re-angle its Arctic priorities away from climate concerns to security considerations.
- Von der Leyen in September announced a 200-million-euro ($232-million) package for Greenland during a visit where she said the EU had resolved to "be more present and to be more engaged in Greenland and in the Arctic".
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