The Nordic leaders convened in Finnish Turku on May 26, 2025, to address growing regional security concerns in light of the increasing Russian military presence in the Baltic Sea. The summit, held at Alvar Aalto’s iconic sanatorium in Pemar near Åbo, gathered the heads of government from Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Iceland, Finland, as well as representatives from the autonomous regions of Greenland (Kalaallit Nunaat), the Faroe Islands (Føroyar), and Åland (Ahvenanmaa).
Participants list
- Sweden: Ulf Kristersson
- Denmark: Mette Frederiksen
- Norway: Jonas Gahr Støre
- Iceland: Kristrún Frostadóttir
- Finland: Petteri Orpo
- Åland: Katrin Sjögren
- Greenland (Kalaallit Nunaat): Jens-Frederik Nielsen
- Faroe Islands (Føroyar): Aksel Vilhelmsson Johannesen
- Germany: Friedrich Merz (guest at the dinner)
Focus on comprehensive security and resilience
Amid a backdrop of complex and evolving crises in Northern Europe, the leaders issued a joint statement committing to a new comprehensive security concept. This initiative aims to enhance joint preparedness and strengthen cooperation across the region. Increasing societal resilience and improving resistance to external threats were identified as top priorities.
Finland’s Prime Minister, Petteri Orpo, emphasized the significance of unity, highlighting that the summit reflects a renewed focus on “joint preparedness and shared responsibility”. The summit also drew attention to recent incidents, including the violation of Finnish airspace by Russian fighter jets, underscoring the immediacy of security concerns for the region.
The Ukraine issue and the role of the United States
The ongoing conflict in Ukraine was a central topic at the summit. The leaders underlined the necessity for Russia to agree to a full ceasefire. Sweden’s Prime Minister, Ulf Kristersson, stated, “A bad peace would be an invitation to a new attack. Therefore, we are very keen to get a peace on Ukraine’s terms.”
Orpo also expressed hopes that the USA President, Donald Trump, would exert pressure on Russia to end the conflict, stating, “I hope that he understands that Putin does not want peace but wants to continue his war.”
Autonomous regions take the stage
For the first time, the summit included the leaders of Greenland (Kalaallit Nunaat), the Faroe Islands (Føroyar), and Åland as official participants, signaling an increased recognition of the region’s diversity and strategic importance. Denmark’s Mette Frederiksen described this as “a good decision and an important message,” highlighting the importance of unity across the Nordic area.
The Arctic and North Atlantic have attracted renewed international attention due to Russia’s increasing interest and the recent US threats to assert control over Greenland. These developments have added urgency to calls for increased defense cooperation and strategic dialogue across the broader region.
German participation and international signals
The summit concluded with a dinner attended by Germany’s Chancellor, Friedrich Merz, underscoring the broader European interest in regional stability. The presence of a high-ranking EU leader as a guest of honor sent a clear message about the necessity of trans-European security partnerships in the face of mounting challenges.
The 2025 Turku summit marked a decisive step toward a more integrated and resilient Nordic region, affirming a united response to evolving security threats in Northern Europe.
