NATO Chief Tells World Leaders ‘Trump Is Right’ About Greenland
At the World Economic Forum in Davos, mark Rutte backed President Trump’s call for stronger measures too protect the Arctic, saying opening sea lanes have increased Russian and Chinese activity there. Trump has argued the United States should control Greenland for security reasons; Denmark refuses to sell and the disagreement has led to heated rhetoric and threats of economic consequences. Rutte noted that seven of the eight Arctic-bordering countries are NATO members (Russia being the only non‑NATO Arctic neighbor) and warned China is effectively a “ninth” actor in the region. He and others argued NATO must do more to limit Russian and Chinese influence in the Arctic, while cautioning that the greenland dispute risks distracting attention and resources from the priority of supporting Ukraine. Norway’s defense minister, Tore sandvik, echoed concerns that Russia remains NATO’s primary threat. Trump reiterated in his Davos remarks that Greenland is strategically part of North America and criticized returning it to Denmark after World War II.
President Donald Trump’s contention that forceful measures must be in place to protect the Arctic region was seconded Wednesday by NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte.
Trump has said that American ownership of Greenland is essential to providing security. Denmark, which controls the island, does not want to part with it, leading to an escalating war of words and threats of economic consequences.
Rutte spoke during a panel discussion at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, on Wednesday. Trump spoke to the group later on Wednesday.
“When it comes to the Arctic, I think President Trump is right,” Rutte said in a video posted to X. “Other leaders of NATO are right.”
“We need to defend the Arctic. We know that the sea lanes are opening up. We know that China and Russia are increasingly active in the Arctic,” he said.
NATO’s Rutte:
Trump is right. We must protect the Arctic from Russian and Chinese influence. pic.twitter.com/sSzwDUUxAr
— Clash Report (@clashreport) January 21, 2026
“There are eight countries bordering the Arctic. Seven are members of NATO,” he said, listing Finland, Norway, Denmark, Sweden, Iceland, Canada, and the United States.
The only nation with an Arctic border outside of NATO is Russia, he said.
“And I would argue there is a ninth country, which is China, which is increasingly active in the Arctic region,” he said.
“President Trump and other leaders are right; we have to do more there,” he continued. “We have to protect the Arctic against Russian and Chinese influence.”
Rutte also noted that the focus on Greenland takes Europe’s eyes off of its major issue, according to German media outlet DW.
“The focus on Ukraine should be the number one priority, it is crucial for European and U.S. security,” Rutte said.
“I am really worried that we lose sight and that, in the meantime, Ukrainians won’t have enough interceptor [missiles] to defend themselves.”
Norwegian Defense Minister Tore Sandvik offered a similar thought.
“These are demanding times. The situation in NATO is difficult,” Sandvik said, adding that the “dimensional threat for the West, for NATO… is still Russia.”
As noted by Time, Trump said Greenland should be part of America.
“Without us, right now you’d all be speaking German and Japanese, perhaps,” Trump said during his remarks, referring to World War II.
“After the war, we gave Greenland back to Denmark. How stupid were we to do that, but we did it, but we gave it back. But how ungrateful are they now?” he said.
“This enormous unsecured Island is actually part of North America, on the northern frontier of the Western Hemisphere,” Trump said. “That’s our territory.”
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