The Changing Dynamics of Arctic Security at the Baltic Sea Region Forum
Specialists from various fields came to Turku to discuss about the military challenges in the Arctic Europe. They represented the first panel of the 16th Baltic Sea Region Forum.
Maria Stenroos from the Finnish Broadcasting Company YLE, served as the chair of the panel, leading the conversation. The discussion centered around topics such as what Russia is doing and why, the effect of Finland and Sweden’s NATO membership, and how the atmosphere has changed over the decades in the Arctic.
Panelists also reminded us that it is important to acknowledge what Russia has not done in the Arctic. Paal Sigurd Hilde pointed out how Russia has been careful with its actions in the Arctic. He noted that Russia has avoided provoking NATO in this strategically important region. Michael Paul added that Russia’s actions in the Arctic such as the use of the Northern Sea Route and exploitation of natural resources, require stability in the Arctic. However, Meelis Oidsalu added that some kind of hybrid part has already started, and needs to be discussed openly. The change from Russia’s part began in the Arctic over 20 years ago, and we have only started to discuss it recently.
Finland and Sweden’s membership in NATO sparked some discussion among the panelists. There was a consensus that the memberships will improve NATO’s power in the Arctic and the Baltic Sea area. At the same time, NATOs presence is now closer to Russia than it has ever been. Next to the Finnish border are two highly important areas for Russia, the Kola Peninsula and St. Petersburg area. It is guaranteed that Russia will strengthen its military forces now that Finland and Sweden are also NATO members, reminded Jyri Raitasalo. NATO’s presence at the Baltic Sea has now changed, but it should not be called NATO lake, ever. Russia has legal rights in the Baltic Sea, Michael Paul pointed out.
Niklas Eklund said that talking about the Arctic globally, it is often forgotten that this part of the Arctic in Northern Europe is where people live, and the securitization of the Arctic did not really start before the year 2014. Raitasalo remarked that it was also a kind of an actual policy decision not to securitize it sooner. The panelists agreed that the environment in the Arctic has changed. Eklund mentioned how, for a couple years now, Russians living on Svalbard have been celebrating their memorial days and flying flags that are not allowed to fly. Mykhailo Gonchar also pointed out how the Svalbard archipelago is an important strategic position. Whoever controls it, controls entry and exit to the Arctic from the North Atlantic and vice versa.
To sum up the first panel of the Baltic Sea Region Forum, it can be said that the changed political atmosphere has been considered. There is cooperation inside the NATO and between the countries in this Arctic area. Quoting Eklund: “During the peacetime, we need to train as we fight.”
You can watch the first panel and the full recording of the Forum from here.
More information about the Forum programme and speakers can be found at the event website.
