Description: Prime Ministers from the Nordic countries attended a summit hosted by Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo in the Finnish city of Turku. The leaders held discussions and raised issues such as the growing Russian influence and constant incursions in the Baltic Sea, as well as the recent troop amassment on the Russian – Finnish border. Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store also emphasized the threat from the US in their intent to annex Greenland as he highlighted the island’s sovereignty and international restraints imposed by maritime and sea legislature. The Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson in his remarks said that Scandinavian countries significantly influence the global markets as they are collectively the 12th largest economy in the world. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz also attended the summit where he announced Germany’s intent to lift the block on supplying Ukraine with long range cruise and ballistic missiles as he stressed the importance of the Nordic countries in Europe’s collective defense.
Impact: The Nordic summit of leaders further widens the rift between Europe and the US and labels Russia as the greatest threat and impediment to peace on the continent. The statements from the leaders resounded a shift in optics and highlighted the necessity of Europe’s economic and defensive independence. The summit also underscored the significance of the Nordic countries and their shift towards NATO as Russia continues to militarily posture around Europe’s northern borders. Statements from Merz on lifting the blockade in supplying Ukraine with long – range cruise and ballistic missiles stresses the threat around Russia’s continued ground and aerial offensives which pose a potential risk to the security and sovereignty of the Nordic region. Ultimately, the summit sends a clear message as a show of force move towards Russia that any potential incursions within the borders of the Nordic countries would be met by collective military force.