In the interview, Dr Filipova explains that the Arctic is no longer a distant or purely environmental issue. Climate change is rapidly transforming the region into a space of growing geopolitical and security importance, yet Europe continues to underestimate its strategic relevance.
She points out that European policies towards the Arctic remain fragmented and largely declaratory, leaving the EU without a clear security vision for the region. This lack of preparedness risks turning Europe into a passive actor at a time when the Arctic is becoming increasingly central to global power dynamics, with the growing presence of Russia and China. In this sense, the Arctic is changing faster than Europe’s strategic thinking — and the gap between the two is becoming a serious vulnerability.
Beyond the Arctic, the conversation also touched on the prospects ahead of NATO, key dilemmas of European security, and the interplay between international institutions, international law, soft power, and the interests of strong states. The discussion further explored how different political regimes — including in Iran and Venezuela — shape international relations and global alignments.