German Foreign Minister Wadephul Calls for Strengthening NATO’s Northern Flank

German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul visited the Arctic city of Bodø in northern Norway with his Norwegian counterpart Espen Barth Eide. He warned that Russia is expanding its military and economic activity in the High North and warned of “hybrid threats” from Moscow. Wadephul said Norway acts as a “early‑warning sonar and radar of NATO in the North Atlantic” and stressed the strategic importance of under‑sea cables and air‑sea routes for Europe’s supply lines.

He also highlighted China’s growing presence in the Arctic and called for a reinforced NATO northern flank to deter both Russian and Chinese moves. The ministers discussed a multibillion‑euro cooperation with Canada on new submarines and the development of a joint Arctic‑focused satellite launch and navigation capability. The visit coincided with the inauguration of NATO’s new air‑operations centre in Bodø, which will coordinate missions across the Arctic and the North Atlantic.