European leaders meet as Arctic ice melts and safety worries grow

Warmer weather is opening new paths for ships in the Arctic, but Russia is building up its military there, and leaders are concerned.

Leaders from across Europe are meeting to talk about the Arctic. The Arctic is the cold area at the very top of the world. Two big things are happening there right now. First, the ice is melting. Because the planet is getting warmer, the ice is turning into water. This means ships can now travel through parts of the Arctic that used to be blocked. These new paths make trips faster for trade and shipping. Second, Russia is making its military stronger in the region. They are fixing up old bases and putting more soldiers and gear in the far north. This has made other countries, like Norway a…