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UK's foreign minister to urge NATO to focus on Arctic in Finland and Norway visit
Published by Global Banking and Finance Review
Posted on January 14, 2026
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UK Foreign Minister Advocates for NATO's Arctic Focus During Nordic Visit
NATO's Role in Arctic Security
By Catarina Demony
Focus on Russia's Threat
LONDON, Jan 14 (Reuters) - Britain's foreign minister will visit Finland and Norway on Wednesday, where she will call for NATO to step up its work in the Arctic to safeguard regional interests against Russia.
Cooperation with Norway and Finland
Yvette Cooper's Arctic Circle tour follows renewed threats by U.S. President Donald Trump to take over Greenland, an autonomous territory of the Kingdom of Denmark. The Danish and Greenlandic foreign ministers will meet U.S. Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Wednesday.
Military Exercises and Training
Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer has said he stands with Denmark in its defence of Greenland.
Cooper's trip will focus on Russia, which the foreign office described in a statement as the "greatest threat" to Arctic security.
In Finland, Cooper will meet border guards defending NATO's eastern flank with Russia, while in Norway she will visit marines taking part in a live training exercise.
The high north, which includes Greenland, is home to key shipping routes and critical infrastructure such as undersea cables, making the region vital to Britain's security, the foreign office said.
"The UK and Norway share a determination to ensure Russia does not succeed in its illegal war of aggression," the foreign office said, adding that Russia posed a threat through its military activity, risks to undersea infrastructure and the use of its "shadow fleet".
Britain last week provided support to the U.S. in its operation to seize a Russian-flagged oil tanker in the North Atlantic.
"Arctic security is critical to protecting Britain and NATO," Cooper said, urging the military alliance to enhance efforts to defend Euro-Atlantic interests against "hostile states who seek to meddle" in the high north.
"Coming together as an alliance allows us to unify and tackle this emerging threat," she added, noting that climate change has opened new shipping routes, exposed valuable resources, and turned the region into a "hotspot" for geopolitical competition.
(Reporting by Catarina Demony; Editing by Rosalba O'Brien)
Frequently Asked Questions about UK's foreign minister to urge NATO to focus on Arctic in Finland and Norway visit
1What is NATO?
NATO, or the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, is a military alliance of countries from North America and Europe, established for mutual defense against aggression.
2What is Arctic security?
Arctic security refers to the measures and strategies implemented to protect the interests and sovereignty of nations in the Arctic region, particularly against military threats.
3What is military training?
Military training involves the preparation of armed forces through exercises and drills to enhance their skills, readiness, and effectiveness in various operational scenarios.
