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Minister Budrys: Arctic security is directly linked to the Baltic region

Republic of Lithuania - Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Updated 2025-11-18

On 18 November, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Kęstutis Budrys, is attending the Berlin Security Conference. The Minister spoke during the discussion on "North: from the Baltic states to the Arctic Circle - Threats, Risks and Mitigation".

On 18 November, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Kęstutis Budrys, is attending the Berlin Security Conference. The Minister spoke during the discussion "North: from the Baltic states to the Arctic Circle - Threats, Risks and Mitigation".

Budrys emphasized the growing militarization of the Arctic by Russia and its impact on the security of the North Atlantic and the Baltic states. According to the Minister, the Arctic remains one of Russia's key strategic pillars, and its actions pose a direct threat to NATO infrastructure and the security of its allies. Budrys emphasized that Russia was not only strengthening its military presence near the Northern Sea Route but was also creating conditions that limit freedom of navigation and increase tensions in the region. According to him, the Northern Fleet's presence near NATO borders poses a threat to critical infrastructure and maritime communication lines.

"Finland and Sweden's NATO membership creates a strategic continuity between the Baltic Sea and the North. Any conflict in the North will have a direct impact on the Baltic region, from changes in naval deployment to hybrid threats such as GPS jamming or cyberattacks," the Minister said.

Budrys stressed that the Arctic is not only part of Russia's military strategy, but also of economic security - the region accounts for 11% of Russia's GDP, 20% of tax revenues, 83% of gas production, and 17% of oil extraction.

According to Budrys, Moscow is increasingly relying on the Northern Sea Route as an alternative export corridor due to sanctions, and in 2024, as many as 84% of oil exports were transported using a shadow fleet.

When speaking about the geopolitical context, the Minister noted the role of China.

"China presents its engagement in the Arctic as economic and scientific cooperation, but its partnership with Russia is gradually deepening in terms of infrastructure, minerals, and research. This is an important factor for the security situation in the region," the Minister said.

Budrys stressed that NATO must be active in the region and is already taking steps to strengthen air defence, intelligence, and maritime surveillance in the North. According to the Minister, allies are investing in icebreakers, Arctic-trained forces, and joint exercises, and Lithuania supports these efforts.

The Minister emphasized the effective cooperation between the Nordic and Baltic countries in assessing threats and coordinating countermeasures, and stressed that the Baltic region's experience in countering hybrid threats, protecting undersea infrastructure, and ensuring maritime surveillance is directly applicable to Arctic security.

"The Baltic states have already demonstrated that a coordinated response to hybrid threats is effective. We can transfer these models to the Arctic, where Russia and China are increasingly active. This is our shared security challenge," said the Minister.