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Mark Rutte, NATO’s secretary-general, said he does not agree with claims that the alliance would collapse if the US used force against Greenland, stressing that allies are working together on Arctic security.
Speaking at an event organized by the Renew Europe group at the European Parliament in Brussels, Rutte said discussions around Greenland should be framed within the broader security of the Arctic region and handled collectively by the alliance.
Rutte said there was no reason to believe Russia’s “aggressive and reckless actions” would change, adding that Moscow continues to fuel the war in Ukraine with support from Beijing, Tehran and Pyongyang.
Addressing questions on Greenland, Rutte recalled that former US President Donald Trump had raised concerns about Arctic security during his first term, warning that opening sea routes and increased Russian and Chinese activity required greater allied cooperation.
“The Arctic is an area where we must work together as an alliance, and that is exactly what we are doing,” Rutte said, adding that the seven NATO members with territory in the region, including the US and Denmark, are holding talks focused on collective security.
Rutte also outlined the outcome of a Jan. 6 meeting in Paris on security guarantees for Ukraine, describing a three-layer approach.
He said Ukraine’s armed forces would form the first line of defense, followed by the “Coalition of the Willing” brought together by UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron, with the United States as the third and critical element.
He emphasized that the US remains “absolutely committed” to NATO, while also expecting Europe and Canada to take greater responsibility for their own security.
Pressed repeatedly on whether a NATO ally threatening another ally’s territory was acceptable, Rutte declined to comment on internal alliance discussions, saying such talks were conducted behind closed doors.
Responding humorously to a question on whether he would be NATO’s last secretary-general, Rutte said he was not planning to leave but was certain he would have a successor one day.
“I don’t know how long I will stay in office,” he said. “No one has told me yet.”
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