German Chancellor Friedrich Merz to meet Nordic leaders in Finland

By Reuters May 26, 2025
393
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz speaks at a press conference after the meeting with Lithuanian President G. Nauseda at the Presidential Palace. Merz and Defense Minister Pistorirus take part in the ceremonial roll call of the German Armed Forces’ 45th Armored Brigade in Lithuania.

Berlin (dpa) – German Chancellor Friedrich Merz is travelling to Finland on Monday to attend a summit of Nordic leaders.

The main topics of discussion are set to be the defence of the NATO alliance in light of the growing threat from Russia and economic cooperation.

Merz is to attend a dinner with the prime ministers of the Nordic countries at a medieval castle in the coastal city of Turku in south-western Finland.

Finland and Sweden joined NATO following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Threats to the region’s security have increased significantly, especially for Finland, which has a 1,340-kilometre border with Russia.

Reports of a build-up of Russian forces near the border have emerged in recent days.

In addition to Finland, Sweden, Norway, Denmark and Iceland are to be represented at the summit.

Denmark’s autonomous territories of Greenland and the Faroe Islands, as well as the autonomous Aland region of Finland are also taking part.

The debate over US President Donald Trump’s claims to Greenland has cooled somewhat recently.

However, his intention to bring the world’s largest island under US control for reasons of national or international security remains unchanged. This could also be a topic at the summit.