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\u2019s prime minister warned that easing sanctions on Russian oil would strengthen Moscow\u2019s war effort.<\/p>\n
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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<\/a> that pledged deeper cooperation in security, defence industry and crisis resilience across the northern region.<\/p>\n
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<\/p>\n Petteri Orpo said after the meeting that easing sanctions on Russian oil would harm Ukraine\u2019s defence. He spoke after reports that the United States decided to loosen some restrictions<\/a> on Russian oil sales amid pressure on global energy markets during the war involving Iran.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n \u201cIt feeds Russia\u2019s war chest,\u201d Orpo said in Oslo. \u201cWe must stay strong in support for Ukraine, and part of that is that we continue sanctions against Russia. This is a bad development.\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n Oil prices have risen during the Middle East conflict. The International Energy Agency urged member states to release oil reserves<\/a> to calm markets. Orpo said the government has prepared for different outcomes but sees no need to release reserves at present.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n 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<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n 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\u2019s prime minister Mark Carney said Arctic states must take greater responsibility for their own defence.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n The meeting took place during tension between allies after United States president Donald Trump called for Greenland to join the United States<\/a>. Denmark governs the island, which holds mineral resources and strategic value in the Arctic.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n Norway\u2019s prime minister Jonas Gahr St\u00f8re said threats against Greenland carried weight because they came from an ally. \u201cIt is serious when such words come from a partner,\u201d he said at the joint press conference. St\u00f8re said the dispute also strengthened cooperation between other NATO members.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n Denmark\u2019s prime minister Mette Frederiksen said pressure on Denmark and Greenland had come without warning. She said allies stood together in defence of sovereignty. \u201cThe old world order is gone,\u201d Frederiksen said, referring to changes in global politics. \u201cWe must build something new based on the values we share.\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n Sweden\u2019s prime minister Ulf Kristersson also backed deeper cooperation among northern allies. The leaders confirmed continued economic, civilian and military assistance for Ukraine.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n 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<\/a> the number of nuclear warheads and invited several NATO partners to take part in exercises linked to nuclear deterrence.<\/p>\n
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