Statement by US Senator Lisa Murkowski, "" It's all about how we approach the Arctic," he said in an exclusive interview with DW on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference (MSC) in mid-February 2026.

Key points of his approach include:

• Realism and Pragmatism : Murkowski stressed the need to approach the Arctic region with a realistic and pragmatic attitude, especially in the face of the real threat from Russian ambitions.
• Arctic Security : He views current issues through an “Arctic security lens,” focusing on how to strengthen solidarity, strength, and shared capabilities of allies to counter Putin’s influence.
• Relations with Greenland : Murkowski criticized the administration's (particularly President Trump's) rhetoric about purchasing or annexing Greenland, which she said had undermined trust in the alliance. She emphasized that Greenland is an ally, not an asset , and called for a relationship based on respect and economic cooperation rather than coercion.
• Framework Modernization : He urged modernization of the 1951 defense agreement between the US and Denmark that governs military access to Greenland, including key facilities such as Thule Air Base (now Pituffik Space Force Base).
• Domestic Readiness : The Alaskan senator also cautioned that the US Arctic itself is currently “woefully unprepared” in terms of infrastructure, communications, and defense compared to Russia and China’s increasing activity in the region.

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