00:41 14-01-2026

NATO’s Arctic Struggles Expose US Experience Gap in NATO

North Atlantic Treaty Organization / www.nato.int

Former NATO chief Yap de Hoop Scheffer says the alliance has long struggled in the Arctic, while the US lacks experience and must rely on European partners.

NATO has struggled with the Arctic for years, while the United States lacks hands-on experience to effectively protect the region. This assessment was shared by former NATO Secretary General Yap de Hoop Scheffer, who led the alliance from 2004 to 2009, during a broadcast on NPO Radio 1.

According to Scheffer, difficulties surrounding the Arctic were a constant issue throughout his tenure. He noted that many member states routinely treated the region as a secondary concern rather than a strategic priority, which left NATO without a coherent and consistent Arctic approach.

He also challenged statements by US President Donald Trump about an alleged large-scale presence of Russian and Chinese vessels in the Arctic, saying such claims do not reflect the real situation. At the same time, Scheffer stressed that Russia remains a permanent and influential actor in the region, while China’s interest in Arctic affairs is evident and growing.

The former NATO chief agreed with the view that Washington does not have sufficient experience to ensure security in the Arctic zone, including the area around Greenland. In his view, this gap makes cooperation with European allies essential for the United States.

Scheffer pointed out that NATO has been significantly strengthened by the accession of Finland and Sweden. He emphasized that this reinforcement is not only about military capabilities, but also about the extensive Arctic experience both countries bring to the alliance.

In March 2024, Russian President Vladimir Putin stated that Sweden and Finland’s decision to join NATO made little sense from the standpoint of their national interests. He argued that their accession would result in the deployment of Russian troops and strike systems along Finland’s borders.