German Chancellor Merz uses Arctic summit to signal NATO defence commitment to Russia

At the European Arctic Summit in Rovaniemi, Chancellor Friedrich Merz joined Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo and other NATO leaders to reinforce a unified EU stance on Arctic issues. While the summit’s official goal is policy coordination, sources say Merz intended to assure Russia that Germany will defend NATO’s northern and Baltic areas if required. He referenced his earlier visit to Norway for the NATO Cold Respons drill, where he, Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney toured armored units.

Germany’s defence strategy, outlined in its updated Arctic Policy Guidelines, stresses the need to counter Russia’s actions in the region and to protect the freedom and trade of Arctic allies. The Bundeswehr, which employed just over 186,000 troops in the first half of 2026, is slated for a sizeable increase to meet these security goals. Merz’s appearance, including a Bundeswehr jacket bearing the national flag, was meant as a visual cue of Germany’s commitment to northern defence.