Breaking the Ice – Summer 2025, Episode 1
NATO, Europe, and Collaboration with Canada on Arctic Defence and Security
NATO, Europe, and Collaboration with Canada on Arctic Defence and Security
Arctic360 kicks off its ‘Breaking the Ice’ summer podcast series with a discussion on NATO, Europe, and collaboration with Canada on Arctic Defence and Security. Canada’s new Prime Minister, Mark Carney has signaled a renewed commitment to strengthening economic and security ties with allies, alongside protecting Arctic sovereignty. NATO’s attention to the region is growing, the EU and Canada have signed a new security and defense partnership, and Germany is deploying a naval vessel to the Arctic for the first time as part of Operation Atlantic Bear.
What we discussed
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NATO’s Arctic Focus and Defense Spending Commitments
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EU–NATO and EU–Canada Cooperation
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National Strategies and Long-Term Roles in the Arctic
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Climate Change, Dual-Use Technology, and the Security Link
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Public Awareness and Indigenous Perspectives
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Opportunities for Canada–Allies Cooperation
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SUMMARY
On the heels of the NATO’s June Summit, Arctic360’s ‘Breaking the Ice’ summer podcast series launches with a discussion on NATO, Europe, and collaboration with Canada on Arctic Defence and Security.
Co-hosts Jessica Shadian, President & CEO of Arctic360, Sofie Poggendorf, and Alexandra Paul were fortunate and grateful to be joined by the EU Ambassador to Canada, Geneviève Tuts; German Ambassador to Canada Matthias Lüttenberg; and UK High Commissioner to Canada, Robert Tinline.
The episode opens by setting the scene: Canada’s new Prime Minister, Mark Carney has signaled a renewed commitment to strengthening economic and security ties with allies, alongside protecting Arctic sovereignty. NATO’s attention to the region is growing, the EU and Canada have signed a new security and defense partnership, and Germany is deploying a naval vessel to the Arctic for the first time as part of Operation Atlantic Bear.
NATO’s Arctic Focus and Defense Spending Commitments
The conversation begins with the outcomes of the June NATO Summit in The Hague, where members — including Canada’s new government — committed to investing 5% of GDP in defense, with 1.5% earmarked for infrastructure, resilience, and innovation. Ambassadors Lüttenberg and Tinline highlight how, while neither Germany nor the UK are Arctic states, both have deep scientific, security, and naval interests in the region. They stress the growing urgency of Arctic preparedness in the face of Russia’s military buildup, including modernized bases, advanced weaponry, and expanded naval and air capabilities.
“Germany is ready and willing to take responsibility for the security of our allies…I would…venture to say that scientific research is our main contribution to the Arctic, especially in the past. Now we’re shifting a little bit more to security, but it doesn’t mean that we will stop continuing our Arctic research.”
– German Ambassador Matthias Lüttenberg
EU–NATO and EU–Canada Cooperation
Ambassador Tuts outlines the EU’s evolving Arctic engagement, noting that 23 EU member states are NATO members, and all three Arctic EU countries (Sweden, Finland, Denmark) now belong to NATO. She explains that the EU–Canada Security and Defence Partnership, signed in June 2025, expands cooperation in areas like cyber, maritime, and space security — all with relevance to the Arctic. This year’s joint statement between the EU and Canada included, for the first time, a dedicated paragraph on Arctic collaboration, emphasizing peace, stability, sustainable economic development, Indigenous rights, and blue economy opportunities.
“The Arctic will remain an area of close collaboration to foster peace, security, stability, and sustainable economic development, in particular, of the blue economy, in full respect of the interests, priorities, and rights of Indigenous people, and in line with the United Nations Declaration on the rights of Indigenous peoples.”
– EU Ambassador Geneviève Tuts
National Strategies and Long-Term Roles in the Arctic
High Commissioner Tinline details the UK’s strategic defense priorities, including its focus on NATO’s northern flank, naval security in the Greenland–Iceland–UK gap, undersea cable protection, and enhanced interoperability through the Joint Expeditionary Force with Nordic allies. He also points to deep Canada–UK ties in defense innovation, dual-use technology, and space capabilities.
Ambassador Lüttenberg outlines Germany’s 2024 Arctic policy, built on security, economic development, and environmental protection. Germany’s long-standing leadership in Arctic research, via institutions like the Alfred Wegener Institute, now sits alongside increased defense engagement. This includes participation in Canada’s Operation Nanook and expanded regional partnerships. He notes concerns over China’s growing Arctic presence and underscores the importance of preserving the rules-based order in the High North.
Climate Change, Dual-Use Technology, and the Security Link
The discussion repeatedly returns to the interconnection between climate change and security. Melting ice is opening new shipping routes, altering geopolitical dynamics, and creating both opportunities and vulnerabilities. Ambassadors describe how scientific research — from permafrost monitoring to satellite imagery through the EU’s Copernicus program — serves both environmental and defense purposes.
The potential for dual-use innovations, such as maritime surveillance systems, autonomous vessels, and polar observation technology, to address climate and strengthen Arctic resilience was addressed. Germany and the EU emphasize the need for partnerships with Arctic communities and Indigenous organizations to ensure technological and infrastructure development meets local needs.
“Climate change is opening up the Arctic in a way that it hasn’t been open in the past. And the Arctic is also tied into broader economic and defence issues. If you ask most people in the UK, I think they would see the security challenges in the Arctic as part of a wider set of issues.”
– UK High Commissioner Robert Tinline
“[You] would have to ask one of our researchers on permafrost…how they see their results being used [and what the] potential dual-use or military impact could be on this knowledge…What does [climate change mean] in terms of melting ice for our transportation pathways, but also for our security setup and the posture that we will have to take…And this is where I think…research and the military get together.”
– German Ambassador Matthias Lüttenberg
Public Awareness and Indigenous Perspectives
Jessica Shadian raises the importance of moving beyond a narrow “climate vs. defense” framing, stressing that Northerners’ perspectives — particularly on infrastructure — should help shape the agenda. Multipurpose infrastructure can address food security, health services, telecommunications gaps, and conventional defense needs simultaneously.
“[T]hese kinds of innovation opportunities…are multipurpose or dual use, and [can] address…the needs of the Northerners at the same time.”
– Jessica Shadian
The ambassadors agree that raising awareness in Europe and North America about the Arctic’s nuances is vital for building public support for investments, especially given competing domestic priorities. Education, they note, is not just about informing southern capitals but also about learning from Arctic residents.
Opportunities for Canada–Allies Cooperation In closing, Shadian asks each guest to identify a priority opportunity for Arctic cooperation with Canada.
Ambassador Tinline points to innovation — leveraging new technologies to monitor and secure the Arctic in partnership with those who live there.
Ambassador Lüttenberg emphasizes maintaining the balance between security and scientific research, investing wisely, and deepening Indigenous engagement. Ambassador Tuts highlights sustained political dialogue, bolstered by Canada’s appointment of its first Arctic Ambassador and the EU’s own Arctic envoy, as a way to strengthen joint action.
All agree this is a moment of “step change” — building on years of cooperation but scaling it up to meet a rapidly changing Arctic reality.
Key takeaway/ Looking Ahead: The Arctic is no longer a peripheral concern. It sits at the intersection of climate change, geopolitical competition, and potential for technological innovation. The Arctic also remains an area where cooperation remains essential for effective engagement. Addressing regional challenges will require new ideas and innovation built in collaboration with Indigenous and Northern communities. The appointment of Canada’s first Arctic Ambassador will create additional opportunities for diplomacy and fostering stronger cooperation.
Guest Bios
Geneviève Tuts
EU Ambassador to Canada
As the EU Ambassador to Canada, Geneviève Tuts leads the EU Delegation’s mission to strengthen EU-Canada relations across foreign and security policy, trade, climate action, innovation, digital governance, and cultural exchange.
Matthias Littenberg
German Ambassador to Canada
Matthias Lüttenberg has been the Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to Canada (Ottawa) together with his spouse Tjorven Bellmann since September 2024.
Robert Tinline
UK High Commissioner to Canada
Robert Tinline has been British High Commissioner to Canada since February 2025. He represents the British Government in Canada and oversees the High Commission in Ottawa and Consulates in Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver and Calgary.
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