NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte stated that the only way to resolve the crisis surrounding Greenland is through “carefully considered diplomacy,” adding that he is working “behind the scenes” on the issue.
The head of the Western military alliance, who is attending the World Economic Forum in Davos, declined to comment on U.S. President Donald Trump’s ambitions to take control of the island, stressing that diplomacy is more important than public statements.
“I assure you that I am working on this issue behind the scenes. The only way to resolve the crisis is through well-thought-out diplomacy,” the NATO chief said during a panel in Davos.
Speaking on the panel, Rutte emphasized that the United States remains committed to the alliance, but added that America needs “a secure Europe and a secure Arctic.” Regarding the Arctic, he said he agrees with the U.S. president.
“We must protect the Arctic from Russian and Chinese influence,” Mark Rutte said.
Greenland, a Danish territory with around 57,000 inhabitants, is not an independent member of NATO but is covered under Denmark’s membership in the military alliance. Any attempt to take control of Greenland would represent the first case in NATO’s history in which one ally would infringe upon the territory of another member state.
