NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte stated on Monday that Greenland is of strategic importance to the Alliance, confirming that NATO members are actively discussing measures to guarantee security in the Arctic region.
“We have eight Arctic countries, seven of which are NATO members. The only one that is not is Russia. We must ensure security, and that is exactly what we are discussing. We want the Arctic to remain safe. Russia is the main threat to NATO and to Europe,” Rutte said during a press conference in Zagreb.
These remarks mark Rutte’s first public comments on Greenland since U.S. President Donald Trump reiterated on January 4 Washington’s interest in acquiring the Arctic island.
Rutte was visiting Croatia for the first time in his role as NATO Secretary General, meeting with senior government officials.
Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenković emphasized the need for mutual respect among allies, underlining that Greenland is part of Denmark.
“We respect the fact that Greenland is part of Denmark, and we are convinced that the best solution can be found through dialogue,” Plenković said.
Rutte rejected claims that U.S. ambitions regarding Greenland represent the most serious crisis facing NATO, welcoming instead the fact that Arctic-bordering countries have strengthened cooperation and increased NATO engagement in the region.
He also praised President Trump’s influence on the Alliance, noting that U.S. pressure encouraged NATO members to increase defense spending, contributing to greater unity on defense budgets.
Rutte highlighted Denmark’s accelerated defense investments, including the purchase of new military equipment, drones, and a significant strengthening of defensive capabilities, including the protection of Greenland.
No Consensus on Ukraine’s NATO Membership
The war in Ukraine was also a central topic of discussions between Rutte and Croatian officials. The NATO chief acknowledged that there is no unified position among member states regarding Ukraine’s accession to NATO.
“We know that some allies, including Hungary, the United States, and others, are either opposed or highly skeptical about Ukraine joining NATO. That is a fact,” Rutte stated.
He praised Croatia’s support for Ukraine, noting that Zagreb has provided more than €300 million in military assistance, including equipment, helicopters, and defensive systems, since the start of the war.
“Ukraine’s security is our security,” Rutte stressed.
Prime Minister Plenković added that Ukraine is defending not only its own freedom, but also European democracy, values, and continental security, pointing out that the consequences of Russian aggression have been felt across Europe through energy crises, economic and social pressures, and inflation.
