NATO secretary general Mark Rutte and Danish prime minister Mette Frederiksen agreed on Friday, January 23, that the alliance should boost work on Arctic security, following U.S. president Donald Trump’s decision to back off threats to seize Greenland.
“We’re working together to ensure that the whole of NATO is safe and secure and will build on our cooperation to enhance deterrence and defence in the Arctic,” Rutte wrote on X after meeting Frederiksen in Brussels.
The Danish prime minister added that “defence and security in the Arctic are matters for the entire alliance,” and confirmed NATO allies agreed on the need for a “permanent presence” in the region, including around Greenland.
The meeting followed Trump’s claims that he had reached a framework deal with Rutte after previously demanding control over Greenland.
While the details of any agreements have not been made public, officials said NATO boosting security in the Arctic was part of the discussions. Plans under consideration include a potential NATO mission in the region, although concrete planning has yet to begin.
