NATO member countries are discussing the next steps to collectively keep the Arctic safe, alliance chief Mark Rutte said on Monday (12 January), the latest sign of work among allies to satisfy U.S. President Donald Trump, who says he wants to take over Greenland.
"All allies agree on the importance of the Arctic and Arctic security," Rutte told a press conference in Croatia. "With sea lanes opening up, there is a risk that the Russians and the Chinese will be more active."
Rutte said discussions on Arctic security were already under way since last year, and member countries were now "discussing the next step to that, how to make sure that we give practical follow up on those discussions."
He emphasised that NATO has become more engaged in Arctic security since 2025 at the request of its seven High North allies, describing the region as “a vital part of NATO territory.”
Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic also highlighted the importance of dialogue in resolving tensions over Greenland’s status, saying, “High-quality discussions can ensure global security and maintain Greenland as part of Denmark.”
The comments come after Trump said on Friday that the U.S. needs to own Greenland to prevent Russia or China from occupying it in the future.
Greenland is an autonomous part of the kingdom of Denmark and houses a U.S. airbase under international treaties. Danish and Greenlandic officials say the island is not for sale, and that security concerns should be resolved among allies.
European diplomats told Reuters that discussions were ongoing about a possible NATO operation to boost security in the Arctic, as officials search for ways to address U.S. concerns.
No decisions have been made, the diplomats said, but some officials have suggested that an operation could be modelled on NATO's operations to boost security on its eastern flank, Baltic Sentry and Eastern Sentry.
A German government spokesperson said on Monday that discussions about further strengthening security in the Arctic region were currently taking place within NATO.
Iran's leadership warned of a regional conflict on Sunday (1 February) if the U.S. were to attack it, stoking the tension between Washington and Tehra...
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has ordered the start of nuclear talks with the United States, Iranian media reported on Monday, signalling a poss...
Tensions flared on X this week after German MEP Michael Gahler called leaders of Georgia’s ruling Georgian Dream party “Moscow creatures”, criti...
German authorities have arrested five people suspected of running a criminal network to circumvent European Union sanctions by exporting goods to at l...
Repeated violations of international law are casting doubts over the effectiveness of the first phase of the Gaza ceasefire, one political analyst tol...
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has ordered the start of nuclear talks with the United States, Iranian media reported on Monday, signalling a possible diplomatic opening after months of heightened tensions.
Tensions flared on X this week after German MEP Michael Gahler called leaders of Georgia’s ruling Georgian Dream party “Moscow creatures”, criticising recent legislation he says threatens the country’s democratic path.
German authorities have arrested five people suspected of running a criminal network to circumvent European Union sanctions by exporting goods to at least 24 sanctioned Russian defence companies, the federal prosecutor’s office said on Monday.
Repeated violations of international law are casting doubts over the effectiveness of the first phase of the Gaza ceasefire, one political analyst told AnewZ.
U.S. President Donald Trump said on Saturday that the United States has begun negotiations with European leaders over Greenland and that an agreement is already taking shape.
The United States accused Cuba of interfering with the work of its top diplomat in Havana on Sunday (1 February) after small groups of Cubans jeered at him during meetings with residents and church representatives.
Iran’s nuclear ambitions continue to shape regional tensions in the Middle East, particularly among key powers such as Israel and Türkiye, according to political analyst Dr Zaur Gasimov.
Dmitry Medvedev, said European countries have failed to defeat Russia in Ukraine and have instead inflicted serious economic damage on themselves, as he criticised EU policy, praised Donald Trump as a leader who seeks peace, and said Russia would “soon” achieve military victory in the war.
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has warned that any U.S. military attack on Iran would spark a wider regional conflict, Iranian semi-official Tasnim news agency reported on Sunday.
German authorities have arrested five people suspected of running a criminal network to circumvent European Union sanctions by exporting goods to at least 24 sanctioned Russian defence companies, the federal prosecutor’s office said on Monday.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for the 2nd of February, covering the latest developments you need to know.
At least 12 people were killed and seven wounded after a Russian drone struck a bus carrying miners in Ukraine's southeastern Dnipropetrovsk region, government officials said on Sunday (1 February).
The United States accused Cuba of interfering with the work of its top diplomat in Havana on Sunday (1 February) after small groups of Cubans jeered at him during meetings with residents and church representatives.
Heavy snow continued to batter northern and western Japan on Saturday (31 January) leaving cities buried under record levels of snowfall and prompting warnings from authorities. Aomori city in northern Japan recorded 167 centimetres of snow by Friday - the highest January total since 1945.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment