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Good afternoon everyone,

and warmly welcome to this press conference of the European Arctic Summit.

We will start with short remarks and then we'll have some time for the questions and first our Prime Minister Por Orpo will tell us about the leaders' discussions today. The main message of today's discussions.

There is a high demand for concrete EU action in the Arctic. Our security environment has changed fundamentally.

The Arctic has emerged as a central arena of great power competition.

Its critical natural resources and new sea roads attract interest,

while the effects of climate change set the defining framework for all developments in the area.

The Arctic is a core European security interest. An integral part of European security.

This is best showcased by us all gathering here today. Thank you for all that you gave.

What happens in the Arctic has direct implications for the EU as a whole.

We therefore need strong and coordinated EU leadership. This is why I convened this summit. On the European Arctic.

During the last few days,

we could all agree that we should strengthen our shared threat and risk assessment and understanding of the strategic importance of the Arctic region.

Russia poses the most significant and long term threat. Arctic security and stability.

In order to respond to the threat posed by Russia.

The EU must treat the Arctic as a strategic frontier.

The border between Finland and Russia, which is over 1300 kilometers long,

is also the Arctic border between the EU and Russia.

Furthermore,

we all agree that the EU needs to step up its action to promote stability and prosperity in the region.

The region has a lot to offer for sustainable growth.

In the Arctic, security, civil preparedness, infrastructure development,

climate resilience and energy security are all closely linked.

We should strengthen Arctic resilience by strategic investments in Arctic infrastructure,

dual use transport networks, critical raw materials. Icebreaking And technological innovation.

This is how we can reduce strategic dependencies and strengthen European competitiveness.

The Arctic should remain as a region of peace. Stability and constructive cooperation.

Based on international law and respect for indigenous peoples and their rights. Cooperation with like minded partners remains indispensable.

I see a clear value in further enhancing EU NATO alignment.

Thank you very much that you came here to the capital of Lapland and Finland. Thank you.

Thank you, I would like to give the floor to the President of the European Council, Costa. Good afternoon.

I would like to start by thanking you, dear Pri,

for taking the initiative to organize this first European Arctic Summit.

Being here inhovaniami, Lapland and discussing the Arctic with colleagues has reinforced my conviction about one thing this region is of strategic importance,

not just for Arctic countries, but for Europe as a whole.

My first message is simple what matters for the Arctic matters for all the European Union Member States.

Looking at the map, the case for the European Union in the Arctic is clear.

3 of our Member States Denmark, Finland, Sweden are Arctic nations.

What happens here is not a regional story, it is a European one.

That means that Arctic security is European security.

The priorities of the European Union's Arctic strategy were set in 2021 and they remain valid today climate protection,

sustainable development, peaceful cooperation.

But when it comes to Arctic security,

we need to adapt to the new geopolitical reality.

Indeed, the Arctic is another victim of the weakening of the multilateral system.

Sovereignty and respect for territorial integrity can no longer be taken for granted,

and fundamental concepts of international law, such as freedom of navigation, are challenged.

Russia, the largest Arctic nation, is one of the main drivers of this trend.

The European Union is, and will remain,

a reliable long term partner to all Arctic allies, European and non European alike.

I fully support the ambition of this summit to promote coordinated action, to build a ring of partners from the Baltic through the Arctic and the North Atlantic,

to ensure a comprehensive, rules based approach to the security and defense of the Arctic region.

This new geopolitical reality will be reflected in the next long term European budget,

and it is increased investment in Europe's security and defense, including in the Arctic region.

Beyond the geopolitical and security dimension, we cannot lose sight of the major threat that climate change poses to the regions,

nor the economic opportunities it offers to our strategic autonomy,

in particular for critical raw materials.

That is why the Commission and the European External Action Service are currently updating the European Union's Arctic strategy to make sure it is fit for purpose in the new world geoeconomic and environmental challenges.

In a nutshell, the European Union is committed to contributing to a safe, peaceful,

resilient and prosperous Arctic region, to the benefit, first of all, of the people living here. I want to thank you, Petri, again. For this initiative.

We look forward to continuing the work that has been started here today,

and we will return to this issue in a future meeting of the European Council. Thank you very much.

We'll have Federal Chancellor of Germany Friedrich First of all,

I would like to.

Thank you Pella again for your initiative to bring us together in this.

Here and my attendance is a clear signal that we all understand that this part of the European continent is the most critical part in the meantime. Of our security.

So let me put it this way high north and low attention is over.

Thank you again for bringing us together last night and today for our fruitful discussions we had.

I agree with my colleagues this Arctic region is not only Critical for Europe's security and stability.

It's also In our common interest to be here and to talk about the Russian aggression we are seeing not just against Ukraine but also in this area of the Arctic. This region has become a geopolitical hotspot.

Russia is building up its military capabilities here and Russia uses its presence for hybrid activities every day.

The drone attack in Leipzig, you all remember, has once again demonstrated that Russia is willing to spread insecurity,

but we will not allow ourselves to be put off by this malicious behavior. The opposite is true.

Together with our international and European partners, we reacted firm and in unity.

Many thanks to Olof the colleagues that you are supporting us.

To demonstrate our unity,

NATO also increased its posture and situational awareness in this region in the Arctic.

I agree with my colleagues that we should increase the focus of the European Union in this region to complement NATO's efforts.

The Arctic is not only relevant in terms of security, it also bears huge economic opportunities,

critical raw materials we spoke about that energy and shipping,

to name only a few, and of course, space capacities.

You remember that, just one week ago, we had the first European rocket launch from northern Norway.

This was a great success for Olof us, not just for the private German based company,

but for this European success in terms of this new space capacities.

We discussed Olof these issues today and I am looking forward to continuing our debate in Brussels.

I am looking forward to continuing the debate with those who are not members of the European Union,

for example, Iceland, Norway, Canada. The United Kingdom.

We mentioned that in our meeting today, and I am very much looking forward to including these countries in our upcoming debates on the security in this so important region for our lives,

for our continent, and for the health of our people. Thank you.

And now we take some questions from the media.

Kindly wait for the microphone and mention your name and the name of the media, and we start with the Finished question. From MTV News Helsinki, Finland.

In this summit, Finland told that we want the EU to acquire a common fleet of icebreakers built by Finland. My question is simple.

Do you think that the EU should use its common funds to buy icebreakers from Finland?

And I'd like to have a brief answer from everyone, starting from Chancellor Merz.

So interesting that you are defining the sequence of our answers. Thank you for that.

So well, we discussed that and we know that we definitely need icebreakers and this is not just an issue for Finland,

for Norway, for Sweden.

This is something for the entire European Union, for the entire European continent,

and that's the reason why we are talking about that and you have my support on that to do that jointly. Yes, thank you for your question.

I think we all agreed that considering the geopolitical situation that we are in and considering also the climate change and the opening of the maritime routes,

we need icebreakers,

more icebreakers or ships that are able to Navigate in these very difficult situations.

Yes, Finland has the capability of building these icebreakers, but clearly I mean we have procurement rules and all this in place in the European Union,

so whoever makes the better offer gets the deal. Thanks.

Does anyone else want to comment on this?

As I explained, the Commission, with the High Representative,

is preparing to present a new Arctic strategy,

and of course this Arctic strategy will frame. The, our priorities.

We can, and we need to translate these priorities in our long term budget. Yes, it is an ongoing process.

And we will,

we are working to conclude this process by the end of this year and for sure we need to consider different different projects.

We have had the opportunity to listen to the Special Envoy Katainen, who presented 5 very interesting proposals,

not only regarding icebreaking but also military mobility regarding space,

and we need to consider Olof them, of course, in our debates. Thank you very much.

Now I have to be careful and patient.

It is just like António said,

first we need a common understanding of the situation in the strategic Arctic region.

After that,

we will write a strategy and make a clear roadmap of what should we do to strengthen our Arctic.

And we need concrete proposals,

and this icebreaking capacity is one of the capabilities we really need. It is true that we can.

We can build those icebreakers, and we have a lot of expertise on that, but we have to go step by step.

Thank you, then we take a question from the German media. Thank you very much. I have a question for Chancellor Merz. Mr.

Chancellor, the domestic political crisis in Germany is getting a lot of international attention.

Do you see your foreign policy options weakened by that,

and how will you continue to cope with the growing pressure at home?

Last week you said giving up is not an option. Does that still apply? Look.

I'm here to Get in touch with my colleagues who are directly affected by the situation in this region.

As I said, this region is so important for Olof us that I try to explain, not just here,

but to my fellow colleagues in Germany as well that foreign security policy is key for Olof us. And I understand the domestic debate.

On the other hand, Germany is so closely linked to the destiny of the European continent that we cannot decouple foreign security policy from what we are debating at home, and that's the reason why I am trying to convince my Colleagues, my friends, my political party, the parliamentary group,

that this is important, much more important than some of the domestic debates we actually have,

and again that's the reason why I'm here today to demonstrate that Germany is really designed and obliged to continue its work on the European level,

including our partners in the north. Thank you, next, Estonian media. Estonia. My question is for Prime Minister Frederiksen.

Trump administration announced a framework for a future deal over Greenland.

Has this deal been realized in any way?

And do you consider the conflicts between Denmark and the US resolved in any way?

And the second question would be for Prime Minister Mikhail,

what does and what Estonia will offer into the EU Arctic strategy? Thank you. Thank you for that question.

I think everybody recognizes that Greenland has been under a big pressure.

By the way, I'm very thankful for the broad, strong support we have had from all the European partners.

Since the public discussion started, we have agreed with the Americans to start what we call a high-level working group.

And we have been very clear from the Kingdom of Denmark that we of course would like closer cooperation with the Americans when it comes to security and defense,

including in Greenland. This working group is still working.

And therefore it's too early to draw any conclusions,

but I'm quite optimistic that we can find a way.

I think we already now see some very clear signs and signals.

When I became Prime Minister in Denmark,

the Arctic region was not really on the agenda in the European Union, neither in NATO.

Now as we speak we have 10 allies exercising together in Greenland.

Many European and also transatlantic partners and allies are now lifting collectively a bigger responsibility when it comes to ensuring the security in Greenland and in the Arctic region.

So as long as the working group is still working, there are no conclusions,

but my hope is that we will find a way forward peacefully also with the Americans. Mhm. Thank you for your question.

I would say that the first thing to say about the Arctic is that Estonia's position in the Arctic,

we are the northernmost country which is not part of the Arctic Circle.

So for us, the security of the Baltic Sea and the Arctic region are quite linked.

To be honest they are one and the same.

We have questions and everybody in the Arctic Circle has the questions as to the Baltic Sea region has the questions. It's Russia. Russia's intentions are not peaceful. They are not preparing for peace. Military buildup is one thing.

The second thing is environmental protection because for example, Shadow Fleet,

they had about 13 vessels going through the Nordic corridor in 2024.

Now about 100 already in 2025, and this is increasing. We can see.

So what Estonia has to offer is the security vigilance being present, which is quite understandable.

The second thing for the European Union investments and presence.

And the third one which we discussed, which is also linked to the security of the European Union.

I rare earth minerals because Estonia has become somehow the rare earth minerals processing hub for Europe,

so this is probably the question for the future for 1020 or 30 years to come. So thank you. And then Danish media, please.

Thank you, I have a question for you, President of the European Council.

You do not mention Greenland directly in your declaration.

What kinds of security threats do you view in that area and what do you call for in terms of action, if any?

The European Union expressed several times full solidarity with the Kingdom of Denmark.

We reaffirm that the territorial integrity of a Member State of the European Union is a key issue for Olof us,

and we are, as a Union, working very closely with the Government of the Kingdom of Denmark.

Last week, President von der Leyen visited with Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen Greenland and presented a concrete program,

and when we talk about the next long term budget.

In this long term budget proposal presented by the European Commission, they are a proposal to double the effort of investment of the European Union in in Greenland,

and our solidarity with Denmark, it's the Kingdom of Denmark,

is very clear, and I think nobody can doubt on this. Next, Romanian media, please.

My question is for President Bill Jordan and Chancellor Friedrich Merz.

The war in Ukraine is looking to be reaching beyond the borders of the country.

In Romania, drones have been detected almost daily in recent years.

Weeks and a Russian citizen was arrested on suspicion of spying on NATO military bases.

Also in Germany, the authorities have officially accused Russia in connection with a drone incident at the Leipzig airport. Where is Europe's red line today? Yes.

So So probably in the last years we have thousands of incidents in all our countries.

Sabotages, attacks on the critical infrastructure, cyber attacks. Disinformation not only on the Easter flank.

First of all, I think that we do not know.

Romania knew very well what happened in Romania, but we do not have.

Common knowledge on all that phenomenon against Europe and then our response cannot be.

Than being united, sharing our expertise and Building the capabilities, even kinetical, cyber,

and all the other information ones in order to better protect our people.

You might have seen that we reacted from the German government two weeks ago very precisely and took some measures which not undertaken before. This is our clear message. We are ready to react.

We know where these interferences and these attacks are coming from. The evidence is very clear.

And that's the reason why we are now defending ourselves, giving clear messages to Russia.

We are on the way in our Parliament to change the fundamental laws for our security institutions,

including our services, and that's the way we go and we will go this way.

Decided Come But with no doubts that we are doing anything we can do to protect our people,

to protect our infrastructure, and to protect our territorial integrity.

This is true for Germany, and this is true for the alliance, for the territory of the alliance.

This is true for the European Union and its territory, and this is true for Support to Ukraine.

I don't want to leave any doubt that my government is doing anything we can do to support Ukraine in its fight against this aggression.

This aggression is not only against Ukraine, it's an aggression against Olof us,

and we have decided to defend ourselves.

I think we have time for one more final question, and we go back to the Finnish media. Thanks Petri Radio, Finnish National Public Broadcaster.

This one's for Councilor Merz, but whoever else wants to comment, feel free. Thank you. Sure, no problem.

Follow up to my German colleague's question, really, political forces opposing support for Ukraine are on the rise,

most recently in Sache-Anhalt in Germany, more more broadly, also in France.

How concerned are you that Europe's backing of Ukraine is sort of losing steam,

losing support. Thank you. Well, thank you for your question.

Most likely we are seeing the most decisive moments.

Perhaps weeks or months ahead of us in defending. The freedom and peace of our continent.

This is what I see and what I mean. So I will do everything I can. To keep up our support.

To get people convinced that it is in our own interest to do that. I know the arguments. I see the debate.

I see the Reservations we are seeing in parts of the country, but this is not just the east,

this is in the entire Republic of Germany, the case like everywhere else in the European Union. We are debating that.

We are coming to the same conclusions again and again, and now we have to stand. Until this terrible war is over.

If Russia succeeds, this will have unpredicted and unprecedented.

Consequences for Olof us, including And that's the reason why I'm standing here very firm,

very clear, and not willing to go back one centimeter.

This is now our historic duty to do what we can to help this country to preserve peace and freedom in Europe.

I would like to, yeah, OK, please, my, my, my neighbor, I, I wanted to comment on this.

This is a very important topic you raised.

The only one who has the right to have fatigue, I think, is Ukraine, Ukrainian people.

Because time is the most valuable thing that we have. We cannot buy time.

They've given us time to prepare, and we're not using that rightly.

Every day we should use that time to prepare for the worst, and then we'll have peace.

And the problem is that we let the Russians back into the game, meaning we let them back into sports.

We just announced that FIBA is letting them back in, FIA, the motor sports is letting them back in.

Olympics, culture, music, we are letting that happen.

We're normalizing them back and that is where we have a problem with the society.

We have to inform the society there is a gap between what society in Europe understands,

what's reality, and what is what we see here.

I think every day the front line, the eastern flank, really knows. Our societies knows what's going on. We know what Ukrainians feel.

Just take one train ride to Ukraine and you come back and you understand we are on borrowed time. If we don't help and support Ukraine.

Borrowed time and we need to use that time wisely and that means that the society has to be more informed and we have to in Europe,

we have to fight the propaganda machine and the social networks.

What's happening with the absolute arguments which are not correct which are changing the mood of the society and it's normal.

It's the 5th year happening, but we have to keep the understanding that we have to fight the evil.

I would like to say that in recent years, the German foreign policy was recognizable,

based on core principles, based on very consistent support for Ukraine,

an active position on European issues.

Sometimes I get the impression that people get bored of hearing about foreign policy,

but you know, they care about the unemployment rate, inflation levels and GDP growth rates.

But you know,

we probably should put more efforts in order to explain what the interconnection between foreign policy and economic issues.

I do not want to wake up in a Europe which is not free and democratic anymore.

And if we lose this fight against Russian aggression.

Actually, I have to correct not only Ukraine's defense defending its freedom, we are defending our freedom,

although the war is not in our territory,

and we have to stand firm, because otherwise if we lose our independence.

Not only eastern flank countries, then unemployment rate,

inflation level or GDP growth rates will become irrelevant. So what we have seen.

Last weeks and days is that Russia is more and more aggressive. It is playing a very dangerous game.

By these hybrid attacks, Russia is trying to divide us. And weaken our support to Ukraine. But I think it's, it's wrong strategy.

It works to the Other direction For us it means that We need to support Ukraine more.

It means that we need more measures against Russia.

More sanctions, more measures against shadow fleet, etc. This is the wrong strategy. Of Russia.

On that question of the population support for Ukraine, I mean The main issue is the main question is How prepared are Olof us in order to counter disinformation,

because we have been all used with the classical media, with the relation with the politicians,

classical media society, and we are facing now new technologies.

We are facing interference in the electoral processes.

There are techniques that are developed on the social network that we have not been used.

And we have to,

I think it's extremely important that we cooperate in order to react as fast as things are happening. Thank you, Excellencies. Thank you for the media.

I kindly ask the media to stay on your seats for a while. Thank you.

We are leaving to, to the left to the left to the left.