NATO: Security of Greenland and the Arctic is directly linked to the security of the United States and Europe
Brussels, Sept. 23 (KUNA) -- NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte affirmed on Wednesday that the security of the United States, Europe, and the Arctic has become closely interconnected amid rising security challenges and Russian and Chinese activities in the region, stressing the need to strengthen the Alliance’s defensive capabilities and support Ukraine in its confrontation with Russia.
In a speech delivered before the Chicago Council on Global Affairs in Iowa, USA, Rutte stated that the security of the Arctic, including Greenland, is directly linked to the security of the United States and Europe, affirming that NATO remains a fundamental pillar in safeguarding American, European, and transatlantic security.
He explained that Alliance members agreed at the Hague Summit to increase defense spending to 5 percent of gross domestic product annually over the next decade, noting that European member states and Canada have already allocated more than $250 billion in additional funds to enhance their defensive capabilities.
Rutte added that increased spending must be accompanied by expanding defense production and accelerating military equipment procurement, explaining that these steps offer benefits beyond security alone, contributing also to supporting jobs, innovation, and strengthening the industrial and economic base of member states.
Regarding Greenland and the Arctic, Rutte said that U.S. President Donald Trump was right to draw attention to the growing threats in the High North in light of increasing Russian and Chinese activities, affirming that protecting the region requires close cooperation among the United States, Denmark, Greenland, and other NATO allies.
He pointed to the launch of the “Arctic Sentinel” initiative aimed at enhancing cooperation among Alliance members and protecting the High North, clarifying that the agreement reached between Greenland, Denmark, and the United States seeks to ensure the continuation of U.S. investments in Greenland and the protection of related security and economic interests, even in the event of changes to the island’s status and its constitutional relationship with Denmark.
Rutte affirmed that “Russia poses a long-term challenge to the security of Alliance territory,” calling on European countries to maintain calm and continue supporting Ukraine while enhancing their defensive readiness.
He warned that “Moscow is using hybrid attacks and sowing fear to create divisions within Europe and weaken support for Kyiv.”
He explained that European countries continue to increase their defense spending, while the United States continues to provide critical supplies and military equipment, much of which is funded by European countries and Canada, including air defense interceptor missiles, stressing that the continuation of this cooperation is a key factor in supporting Ukraine’s ability to counter Russian attacks.
Rutte noted that NATO is required to address security challenges simultaneously in the Euro-Atlantic region and the Indo-Pacific region, amid growing cooperation among Russia, China, Iran, and North Korea in the fields of knowledge, innovation, and technology, considering that this cooperation necessitates enhanced coordination and preparedness among allies to face concurrent challenges.
(End) ARN / TMA
