Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper has declared that Britain is significantly increasing its focus on security in the Arctic, during a diplomatic tour of Scandinavia. The visit, which began on Wednesday 14 January 2026, comes against a backdrop of heightened tensions, including ongoing concerns about former US President Donald Trump's threats to annex Greenland and persistent Russian aggression in the High North.
Diplomatic Push for a Fortified Arctic
Ms Cooper's itinerary includes meetings with Finnish border guards and British Royal Marines stationed at Norway's Camp Viking base. She stated that the UK government is actively "reinforcing our diplomatic and security commitment to the region." Ahead of her trip, she emphasised that Britain, alongside its allies, is working to strengthen Arctic defences to deter any hostile attempts, specifically naming Russian President Vladimir Putin as a potential threat to allied interests and infrastructure.
"We see it as our responsibility and our duty to tackle these challenges head on, making us all safer in the process," Cooper asserted. She framed Arctic security as a critical transatlantic partnership issue vital for the safety of both Britain and the NATO alliance, arguing that a unified approach is essential to counter emerging threats.
The Shadow of US Annexation Threats
However, the Foreign Secretary's security-focused mission is being conducted under the long shadow of statements from Donald Trump. The former US president has repeatedly insisted that the United States needs to take control of Greenland to prevent Russia or China from gaining a foothold in the territory. His administration has even threatened to use force to annex the semi-autonomous Danish territory, a move that has caused profound concern within the transatlantic alliance.
In a stark response, Greenland's Energy Minister, Naaja Nathanielsen, told a press conference in Westminster on Tuesday that the territory had "no intention of becoming American" and felt betrayed by the US. While warning that an invasion would put everyone "under attack," she expressed a desire for a peaceful resolution, suggesting openness to greater security monitoring or an expanded NATO deployment instead.
UK's Strategic Response
The UK's heightened discourse on Arctic security appears directly linked to the increased US rhetoric about Greenland at the start of 2026. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has already raised the issue in recent calls with Donald Trump, the Danish prime minister, and the NATO Secretary-General.
Ms Cooper's current tour and her firm declarations signal a clear intent: to advocate for enhanced NATO efforts to safeguard the High North while navigating the complex diplomatic fallout caused by a key ally's territorial ambitions. The situation presents a dual challenge for London—deterring Russian aggression while managing a destabilising dispute between two fellow NATO members, the US and Denmark.
