As political landscapes in Europe face sharp fluctuations exacerbated by the rise of populism, a coalition of eight smaller nations situated in the northern part of the continent is gaining traction as a geopolitical anchor.

Known collectively as the "Nordic countries," this group includes Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, and the three Baltic states of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania.

Despite their relatively small populations and limited economic output, these nations have formed a cohesive bloc that allows them to exert considerable influence on European and wider Western decisions, particularly concerning the Ukrainian conflict and the security of Eastern Europe.

Their role has become increasingly significant since Russia's military invasion of Ukraine in 2022, presenting a unique model that integrates democracy, defensive cooperation, and societal resilience.

Established in 1992 after the Cold War's end, this coalition aimed to enhance cooperation among the affluent and stable Nordic nations and their neighbors in the Baltic region, which had long been under Soviet influence.

Institutionalized cooperation has evolved through regular meetings of heads of government, ministers, and senior officials, fostering a robust foundation for political, security, and cultural coordination.

Geopolitical Tensions

The influence of the "Nordic eight" has risen alongside escalating geopolitical tensions between major powers, particularly around the Baltic Sea, the North Atlantic, and the Arctic.

In response to this shifting environment, the current Prime Minister of Denmark, Mette Frederiksen, noted Denmark's changing stance as a historically frugal advocate for reduced European Union spending, stressing the need for a reassessment of Europe’s defense capabilities.

The Danish presidency of the Council of the European Union, set to begin in July, is expected to amplify the Nordic region's presence on the continental stage.

While populist nationalist politicians gain ground in Central Europe and elsewhere, countering Western support for Ukraine, the Nordic and Baltic nations remain steadfast supporters of Kyiv and European defense efforts, as well as NATO, despite tightening immigration policies under populist pressures.

The "Nordic eight" were early participants in the French-British "Alliance of the Willing," formed to bolster military and political support for Ukraine, particularly during circumstances when U.S. assistance was contingent upon political concessions that Ukraine rejected.

As Frederiksen articulated, these countries view Ukraine's sovereignty and Russia's defeat as vital to their own national interests due to their geographic proximity to Russia.

Comprehensive Defense

Both NATO and the European Union rely heavily on the "comprehensive defense" framework adopted by Finland and Sweden, which engages public sectors, private enterprises, and civil society in military preparedness and civilian defense against hybrid warfare tactics employed by Russia and China.

For instance, Finland, with a population of 5.6 million, maintains a peacetime military force of around 24,000 soldiers but can rapidly mobilize over 180,000 troops, with an additional reserve of 870,000 trained soldiers due to its conscription system.

Business leaders often serve as reserve officers, undertaking regular security training and bearing legal responsibilities to maintain stocks, contribute logistical support, and provide emergency production capacities.

Following two wars with the Soviet Union in the 1940s, Finland has well-equipped shelters that could accommodate its entire population if necessary.

In the previous year, Sweden disseminated an updated version of its "comprehensive defense" guide to five million households, advising citizens on how to prepare for "crisis and war" scenarios, including stockpiling non-perishable food items and maintaining battery-operated radios and flashlights, alongside essential first aid supplies.

The European Commission has recently recommended similar emergency preparedness measures to other member states.

Members of the "Nordic eight" frequently meet before NATO and EU meetings, coordinating their diplomatic efforts globally, notwithstanding that Norway and Iceland are not EU members.

Stable Systems

The "Nordic countries and the Baltic states" maintain stable democratic systems aligned in terms of values and broad consensus on defense and deterrence against Russia.

This makes them reliable partners for German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, especially as Poland navigates political instability, France faces a lack of parliamentary majority coupled with mounting debts, and Italy hesitates to enhance defense efforts.

These eight nations have integrated their military forces with those of the United Kingdom and the Netherlands through a joint expeditionary force, establishing high-readiness units trained for rapid crisis response.

They collaborate with NATO to safeguard vital undersea cables and pipelines from potential sabotage by adversarial states.

Furthermore, several "Nordic countries" have initiated deeper defense integration, exemplified by the airborne units of four nations forming an air wing within NATO, focusing on operationalizing the Northern Air Power concept, enabling Danish, Finnish, Norwegian, and Swedish forces to function as a unified unit in high-readiness large-scale aerial operations.

The Baltic states have similarly developed a joint defensive line along their eastern borders, reminiscent of Ukraine’s front-line defenses, while discussing an "Estonian concept" for the so-called "Baltic Drone Wall" employing artificial intelligence and sensors to monitor borders and protect against unmanned aerial threats.