Fastrack · EU Unveils Arctic Strategy Keeping Fossil Fuels Underground

The European Union laid out a strategy Tuesday to increase its footprint in the Arctic. Officials cited climate change, security threats and competition for resources.

10 icebreakers are in Europe, by officials' estimate, mostly Finnish.
40 icebreakers is roughly Russia's fleet, officials estimate.
A new hub would track Russia's shadow fleet of oil tankers.
EU funds would pay for cameras, sensors and satellites watching undersea cables.

Why it matters: The plan follows President Donald Trump's threats to take control of Greenland, a self-governing Danish territory. Russian submarines are also suspected of planning to sabotage marine infrastructure in the region.

The Arctic is warming about four times faster than the global average.
Denmark, Finland and Sweden are EU members with Arctic territory.

How 9 sources split on this story

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Coverage by lean% of 9 sources

9 sources · 11 articles · 67% Center coverage

Center6 sources

Reuters2hEU unveils new Arctic strategy with focus on security Associated Press4hEU unveils a new Arctic push as global warming and security threats reshape the region Deutsche Welle21mNew EU plan for Arctic warily eyes influence of Russia, US in region Fortune58mTrump’s threats to take Greenland, and Russia’s growing military, are pushing the EU to expand its Arctic presence | Fortune France 2416hEU unveils strategy to bolster Arctic presence amid pressure from Russia and the US News4Jax4hEU unveils a new Arctic push as global warming and security threats reshape the region

Left coverage, 3 sources: The left frames the plan as Europe's response to a warming Arctic and to security pressure from Russia and Trump.

The Independent2hEU reveals new Arctic strategy amid Russia threat and Trump's Greenland interest The Boston Globe3hEU unveils Arctic push amid global warming, security threats Los Angeles Times2hEU unveils a new Arctic push as global warming and security threats reshape the region

What’s next: The EU plans to link ports, rail, energy terminals and digital networks to Arctic trade routes. Those connections would serve civilian and military use.

The bloc says it will not drill for Arctic oil or gas.
It plans to work with partners including Canada and the U.K.
How much money the EU will commit, and on what timeline, has not been reported.
How Washington will respond to EU plans for a direct cable to Greenland is unclear.