The exercises in the Arctic are taking place against the backdrop of growing contradictions within the alliance.
The Arctic Shield military exercises have begun in Greenland with the participation of about 400 military personnel from ten NATO countries. Several more States are represented by observers and logistics specialists. Officially, the maneuvers are designed to work out the cooperation of the allies in difficult Arctic conditions and strengthen the alliance's capabilities in the region. However, the exercises are taking place against the backdrop of continued claims by US President Donald Trump to Greenland and discussions about the ability of European allies to independently ensure the island's security. Experts interviewed by Izvestia believe that the maneuvers are designed, among other things, to demonstrate to Washington the readiness of European countries to independently strengthen the defense of Greenland.
Signals for Washington and Beijing
The maneuvers will take place from September 7 to 18 in the south of Greenland and in the Kangerlussuaq area. Military personnel from Denmark, Norway, Finland, Sweden, Canada, France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, Slovenia and Poland are involved in them. The last three states act as observers, while Berlin also assumes logistical support.
The total number of the contingent will be more than 400 people — in particular, Belgium is sending about 30 special forces soldiers, and the Netherlands will involve marine units with experience in the Far North.
— The Arctic region is of strategic importance, including for our security. Therefore, such exercises are of great importance," the Dutch Ministry of Defense said.
Photo: REUTERS/Tim Barsoe
Image source: iz.ru
Officially, the Arctic Shield is designed to improve the cooperation of the allies in harsh climatic conditions and deter the activity of Moscow and Beijing. However, diplomatic sources of the Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf openly call the exercises a response to the rhetoric of Donald Trump.
Recall that at the July NATO summit in Ankara, Trump reiterated that Greenland "should be controlled by the United States, not Denmark," arguing that Copenhagen's weak investment activity in the security sector and the threat from Russian and Chinese ships. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen sharply warned in response that the country intends to "protect every inch" of the island.
The symbolic battalion
Despite the loud statements of Brussels, military experts urge not to exaggerate the combat potential of the maneuvers that have begun. The 400-man contingent is an incomplete battalion, and the participation of individual European countries is limited to sniper groups or several units, military expert Vasily Dandykin told Izvestia.
"Statements about containing China are nothing more than an information legend,— he said. — The main vector of NATO's activity in the Arctic has always remained anti-Russian. At the same time, the Copenhagen initiative itself pursues a demonstrative goal within the alliance. Against the background of Trump's rhetoric, Denmark is trying to show its readiness to defend its territories and demonstrate the concept of a "Europe capable of acting without the United States."
Photo: REUTERS/Tim Barsoe
Image source: iz.ru
According to the expert, the Europeans are not able to fully deploy a large group in the region due to the lack of necessary infrastructure, and the very activation of the military only fuels separatist sentiments among the local population of Greenland.
The battle for the grand prize of the 21st century
The friction over Greenland highlights a deeper crisis in relations between the United States and European members of NATO, says Colonel Andrey Koshkin, head of the Department of Political Analysis and Socio-Psychological Processes at Plekhanov Russian University of Economics.
— From the point of view of defense, Washington has no problems in this region — the necessary military infrastructure was created there during the Cold War. The attempt to convert the island into property is perceived by Europeans as a demonstration of harsh political dominance, the expert emphasizes. — Against this background, the European members of the alliance are forced to think about their own strategic autonomy. The growing uncertainty will inevitably lead to a transformation of the NATO configuration.
Photo: Global Look Press/IMAGO/Janine Schmitz
Image source: iz.ru
At the same time, experts agree that the real reason for the increased attention to Greenland is the struggle for resources and transportation routes of the future.
The Arctic is becoming the main strategic "prize" of the 21st century. With the United States trying to control the key southern Straits of Malacca, Bab el—Mandeb and Hormuz, the importance of the Northern Sea Route for the countries of Asia and the Global South (primarily China and India) will only grow. The Arctic Shield maneuvers demonstrate the West's desire to secure key positions in the region in advance, but internal contradictions between NATO allies only complicate this task.
Arctic balance
The NATO exercises are taking place against the background of Russia's planned activity in its own part of the Arctic. Moscow considers the region as one of the key areas of its strategic interests, primarily from the point of view of protecting the northern borders and the security of the Northern Sea Route.
The Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation announced the holding of combat training events for the Northern Fleet. The Admiral Golovko frigate launched an Onyx cruise missile from the Barents Sea at a coastal target at the Chizha range in the Arkhangelsk region.
Photo: IZVESTIA/Pavel Volkov
Image source: iz.ru
According to the agency, the missile successfully hit the target at a distance of over 300 km.
Moscow has repeatedly stressed that Russia has all the necessary potential to ensure the security of its Arctic zone and to ensure the deterrence of any potential threats.
Julia Leonova
