Canada working with Nordic allies to form Arctic security group to counter Russia, China

Canada pledged to strengthen its military presence in the Arctic after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and China’s growing interest in the far north, shattered its sense of security

Canada is working with Nordic countries to create a new Arctic security coalition that would exclude Russia and offer a place to coordinate on defence, intelligence and cyber threats.

Security talks among the northern allies are needed because they don’t meet privately at the political level anymore, partly due to Russia’s presence on the Arctic Council, Canada’s Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly said. The Nordics are now all NATO members after Sweden’s accession earlier this year.