End of Summer Nordic Geopolitical Update
A Monthly Report from the Nordics – 23rd Aug 2025
By Jake Southerland
Source: Euronews
Finland’s President Alexander Stubb Joins UK’s Starmer & EU Leaders in Washington
17th Aug 2025
In the days following Trump’s meeting with Russian President, Vladimir Putin in Alaska on the 15th Aug, European leaders joined Zelensky in Washington to voice their determination in safekeeping Ukraine’s future. The core aspect of Europe’s demands revolve around providing security guarantees for Ukraine. According to the Egmont Institute, an Article V’s based system enforced by European troops in Ukraine would be ideal. Through this proposal, it would show that “Europe is not powerless.” While many European leaders were present in the delegation, this report is focusing on Finnish President Alexander Stubb and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
Seen as one of Trump’s fellow golf partners and “favorite” European leader, Stubb formed an integral part of the European delegation in Washington. Trump has called him a “very good friend” and Stubb’s reputation has even reached congressional ears with Republican senator Lindsey Graham calling him the “bridge between America and Europe.” A powerful tool for Zelensky to help push American support in ensuring Ukraine does not get punished for a war it didn’t start. Finland and Ukraine both have historical experiences with Russian aggression – something that will be instrumental in creating a favorable outcome for Ukraine, a future peace deal. On the other hand, Starmer’s relationship is “curious” – likely through the PM’s use of gratitude diplomacy. While Starmer’s relationship is on a personal level with Trump, it’s something the UK government needs to push in order to utilize their leadership in the “Coalition of the Willing” in order to keep Trump engaged in Ukraine’s future.
Denmark will Start Drafting Women Amidst Uncertain Security Landscape in Europe
June/July 2025
Image Source: AP News
What has been a tense subject in many Western countries, Denmark has made drafting women an official policy this summer. While women have been able to enlist as full time members of the Danish since the 1970s, their participation existed on a voluntary basis. Since Russia’s full scale invasion, Denmark has drastically increased its military spending and by allowing women to become draft eligible represents only one aspect of Denmark’s decade long military buildup. This step is a critical step in bolstering the tiny Nordic nation’s national security and cementing their participation in safekeeping Europe’s future. The inclusion of women will allow Denmark to send and provide more resources to NATO and European military initiatives.
However, due to logistical issues such as the lack of appropriate accommodation for women in Danish military facilities, this process will be gradual and will take a few years. While Denmark and its Nordic neighbors have mandatory conscription, the UK does not. While Starmer has said the UK “must actively prepare for war”, the role of women in a British conscription drive is merely speculative at this point. While having women amongst its fighting ranks does significantly bolster British military capabilities, is British society ready to accept women being eligible for a future draft?
NATO’s Regional Logistics HQ to be Established in Sweden by the End of 2027
August 2025
Image Source: JFC Brunssum – NATO
According to High North News, NATO has announced that they will establish a logistics HQ in the Swedish city of Enköping. With its creation, this upcoming HQ will serve an integral part in facilitating “troop movements from North America to Northern Europe.” With American and British Troops stationed throughout the region, the logistics HQ is just part of NATO’s broader project of widening its presence in the Nordics – a regional air operations center in Bodø and a NATO Nordic Forward Land Force in Finland are being built and established simultaneously.
This project will allow NATO to have a more sustainable presence with its Nordic partners in the region. The upcoming facilities in Norway, Sweden, and Finland will be instrumental in helping strengthen the northern flank – especially with Russia’s well-known interest in the Arctic. For London, it’s a chance to project power seamlessly from the North Atlantic into the High North, thereby cementing the UK’s place at the center of NATO’s northern strategy. In a region where speed and coordination can decide outcomes, Britain gains both.