Prime ministers from the Nordic states and Canada met in Oslo on Sunday to discuss Arctic security, support for Ukraine and cooperation on defence production, as Finland’s prime minister warned that easing sanctions on Russian oil would strengthen Moscow’s war effort.
The meeting brought together leaders from Finland, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Iceland and Canada. Norway hosted the talks in its capital. The leaders issued a joint statement that pledged deeper cooperation in security, defence industry and crisis resilience across the northern region.
Petteri Orpo said after the meeting that easing sanctions on Russian oil would harm Ukraine’s defence. He spoke after reports that the United States decided to loosen some restrictions on Russian oil sales amid pressure on global energy markets during the war involving Iran.
“It feeds Russia’s war chest,” Orpo said in Oslo. “We must stay strong in support for Ukraine, and part of that is that we continue sanctions against Russia. This is a bad development.”
Oil prices have risen during the Middle East conflict. The International Energy Agency urged member states to release oil reserves to calm markets. Orpo said the government has prepared for different outcomes but sees no need to release reserves at present.
The summit focused on security in the Arctic region, where NATO states have increased military cooperation. About 25,000 troops from fourteen states take part in the NATO exercise Cold Response 26 in northern Norway, Finland and Sweden. The exercise forms part of the alliance effort known as Arctic Sentry, which seeks to strengthen presence and readiness in the region.
Leaders said Russia and China have increased activity in the Arctic. Canada and the Nordic states said cooperation between northern allies must expand in response. Canada’s prime minister Mark Carney said Arctic states must take greater responsibility for their own defence.
The meeting took place during tension between allies after United States president Donald Trump called for Greenland to join the United States. Denmark governs the island, which holds mineral resources and strategic value in the Arctic.
Norway’s prime minister Jonas Gahr Støre said threats against Greenland carried weight because they came from an ally. “It is serious when such words come from a partner,” he said at the joint press conference. Støre said the dispute also strengthened cooperation between other NATO members.
Denmark’s prime minister Mette Frederiksen said pressure on Denmark and Greenland had come without warning. She said allies stood together in defence of sovereignty. “The old world order is gone,” Frederiksen said, referring to changes in global politics. “We must build something new based on the values we share.”
Sweden’s prime minister Ulf Kristersson also backed deeper cooperation among northern allies. The leaders confirmed continued economic, civilian and military assistance for Ukraine.
The summit also addressed nuclear policy and deterrence in Europe after France proposed expanding its nuclear umbrella to include wider cooperation with European allies. French president Emmanuel Macron earlier announced plans to increase the number of nuclear warheads and invited several NATO partners to take part in exercises linked to nuclear deterrence.
Orpo said Finland does not seek nuclear weapons on its territory and NATO has no plan to place them there. He said Finland plans to remove legal restrictions that differ from those in other Nordic states.
“The aim is to remove legislative barriers that other Nordic countries do not have,” Orpo said. “Finland is not seeking nuclear weapons.”
He added that Finland wants to learn more about the French proposal. “The initiative to extend the French nuclear deterrent for European security was positive,” he said. “We are interested in hearing more because Europe’s deterrence must strengthen.”
Sweden and Denmark confirmed they have already held talks with France. Kristersson said Sweden will keep its policy that nuclear weapons will not be stationed in the country in peacetime. He said that policy does not prevent cooperation with France.
Frederiksen said Denmark intends to deepen its role in NATO’s nuclear deterrence and accepted France’s invitation for closer cooperation. Norway also ruled out placing nuclear weapons on its territory. Støre said the key aim is to maintain the strength of NATO deterrence.
Iceland’s prime minister Kristrún Frostadóttir said her country recently approved the use of nuclear powered submarines but sees no need to change its nuclear policy.
The leaders also announced closer coordination in defence industry production. The joint statement said cooperation will focus on security of citizens, sovereignty and economic resilience across the northern region.
Orpo said the summit marked a step in cooperation between Canada and the Nordic states. “We share values and a northern location,” he said. “We are committed to supporting Ukraine and strengthening security. We must be a strong NATO in the Arctic.”
HT