Europe is safe, but Arctic security is crucial, says Rutte at WEF 2026

“For the U.S. to stay safe, you need a safe Arctic, a safe Atlantic, and a safe Europe.” NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte told a panel at the World Economic Forum (WEF), underlining the strategic importance of NATO and transatlantic security.

During a panel titled “Can Europe Defend Itself?”, Rutte noted that Arctic security is increasingly contested by Russia and China, and emphasised that NATO member states are actively coordinating to protect the region. He emphasised that transatlantic cooperation remains the cornerstone of European security.

His words came hours before U.S. President Donald Trump touched down in Davos to give a much-anticipated address to the Forum.

While territorial disputes such as Greenland must be addressed “in an amicable way,” Rutte stressed that the alliance’s main priority remains Ukraine.

“Focus in Ukraine should be our number one priority, and then we can discuss all the issues, including Greenland. But it should be Ukraine first, because it is crucial for our European and U.S. security,” he said, highlighting that European and U.S. safety hinges on continued support for Kyiv amid ongoing Russian attacks.

Poland’s President Karol Nawrocki echoed the importance of the U.S.-European partnership while underlining Europe’s growing defense responsibilities.

“We feel responsible for NATO—it’s the largest alliance in history,” he said, citing Poland’s significant increases in defense spending and its continued hosting of U.S. troops on Polish soil.

Nawrocki also stressed the strategic significance of Greenland, framing it within broader geopolitical challenges, including Chinese and Russian activity in Europe’s eastern flank, and the need for strong transatlantic ties.

Finland’s President Alexander Stubb reinforced the message of strengthened European defense, noting that Finland and Sweden’s recent NATO membership “doubles NATO’s border” and significantly enhances Europe’s ability to defend itself independently if required.

Stubb highlighted Finland’s Arctic capabilities, including conscription-trained personnel and advanced military assets, while stressing that European nations must complement battlefield readiness with robust civilian infrastructure, energy security, and comprehensive defense planning.

Ukraine's absence

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy revealed late on Tuesday (20 January), that he will not attend the WEF this year, saying his focus must remain on responding to Russia’s latest missile strikes and securing urgent air defence and energy support for the country.

In a post on X, Zelenskyy pointed to widespread power outages and damage to critical infrastructure following a large-scale Russian attack, arguing that Ukraine cannot afford to lose time on meetings that do not deliver concrete results.

He said Kyiv remains open to engagement with partners, including in Davos, but only where discussions directly contribute to protecting lives, restoring energy systems and strengthening Ukraine’s security.

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Discussions are also expected to take place between U.S. and European officials on the sidelines of the forum.

Economics and technology

Sessions throughout the day examine whether the global economy risks entering a period of instability reminiscent of the 1920s, how governments can avoid jobless growth, and whether climate-related shocks could trigger a new form of recession.

Technology and finance are among the day’s leading topics, alongside debates over artificial intelligence (AI), capital flows, and global markets.

One of the most anticipated speakers, Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang said during a panel, that the world is witnessing the largest infrastructure buildout in history, driven by the rapid development of artificial intelligence systems.

“We are now a few billion dollars into it,” Huang said, noting that trillions of dollars of infrastructure still remain to be built.

He described the AI industry as a “five-layered cake,” with energy at the base, followed by chips, cloud infrastructure, AI models, and applications at the top.

While many people focus on the models and applications, Huang emphasised, it is the underlying infrastructure that powers the AI systems.

Conversations also centre on how AI is transforming productivity and competition, the future of financial stability, and the role of investment in navigating an era of higher risk and fragmentation.

Other panels explore whether India can become the world’s third-largest economy, the sustainability of Russia’s wartime economic model, and the future of global development aid amid tightening fiscal conditions.

Green transition

Climate and sustainability remain prominent themes, with sessions addressing energy security, the future of nuclear power, food and water systems, and the role of the private sector in accelerating climate action.

Efforts to protect nature and promote circular economic models are also expected to feature strongly.

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As the forum enters its later stages, debates in Davos continue to reflect a world grappling with slowing cooperation, rising strategic competition and rapid technological change, with leaders seeking pathways to growth while managing deepening geopolitical divides.

This story is being updated.

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News Politics World Economic Forum WEF 2026 Davos switzerland Geopolitics economics Donald Trump NATO Greenland Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy