NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte has said that the alliance is moving toward a new framework to strengthen security in the Arctic following discussions with US President Donald Trump, with concrete measures expected to be agreed as early as 2026.
Speaking to Reuters on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Rutte said NATO allies would soon convene senior military commanders to assess what additional capabilities are required to safeguard the strategically vital Arctic region.
“We will come together in NATO with our senior commanders to work out what is necessary,” Rutte said. “I have no doubt we can do this quite fast. Certainly, I would hope for 2026 — I hope even early in 2026.”
Focus on Arctic Security, Not Ukraine
Rutte stressed that the renewed focus on the Arctic would not come at the expense of NATO’s support for Ukraine, which continues to face Russia’s full-scale invasion.
The Arctic has become an increasingly important arena for global competition as melting ice opens new shipping routes and access to critical resources, while Russia expands its military footprint and China seeks a greater strategic role in the region.
Earlier in Davos, Rutte said he and Trump had discussed how NATO countries could “collectively make sure the Arctic stays safe” and ensure that “the Russians and the Chinese stay out.”
Greenland, Tariffs and Trump’s Shift
The talks followed President Trump’s announcement that a framework had been formed regarding Greenland, after which he said he would step back from imposing tariffs on European nations that opposed his ambitions concerning the island.
Rutte clarified that sensitive issues such as rare earth mineral mining in Greenland were not discussed during his meeting with Trump. He also underlined that Denmark’s sovereignty over Greenland was never raised.
A NATO spokesperson confirmed that Rutte did not propose any compromise related to Danish sovereignty during the discussions.
Denmark Draws a Clear Red Line
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen responded firmly to Trump’s remarks, reiterating that Denmark would not negotiate over sovereignty, even as it remains open to broader cooperation on security and economic matters.
“We can negotiate on all political issues: security, investments, economics,” Frederiksen said in a statement. “But we cannot negotiate on our sovereignty.”
She added that the Kingdom of Denmark is willing to engage in “constructive dialogue” with allies on strengthening Arctic security — including participation in the US-led “Golden Dome” missile defence concept — provided Denmark’s territorial integrity is fully respected.
Frederiksen has repeatedly rejected Trump’s past calls for the United States to take control of Greenland, an autonomous Arctic territory within the Kingdom of Denmark.
Strategic Stakes in the Arctic
The episode highlights growing geopolitical tensions in the Arctic, where NATO members are seeking to counter Russia’s militarisation of the region and China’s expanding economic and scientific presence. Greenland, due to its location between North America and Europe and its potential mineral wealth, has become central to those strategic calculations.
While Trump’s decision to pause tariff threats eased immediate tensions with European allies, the debate over Arctic security and Greenland’s role within it is likely to intensify as NATO moves toward concrete decisions in the coming months.
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