NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte attends the 56th annual World Economic Forum (WEF) meeting in Davos, Switzerland, January 21, 2026. REUTERS/Denis Balibouse
DAVOS, Switzerland, Jan 22 (Reuters) - The framework deal on Greenland agreed with U.S. President Donald Trump would require NATO allies to step up on Arctic security and the first results of this will be seen this year, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte told Reuters on Thursday.
Rutte said in an interview on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum meeting in Davos, Switzerland that it was now up to NATO commanders to work through the details of extra security requirements and that he was sure non-Arctic NATO allies would want to contribute to the effort.
"We will come together in NATO with our senior commanders to work out what is necessary," Rutte said, adding: "I have no doubt we can do this quite fast. Certainly I would hope for 2026, I hope even early in 2026."
Rutte said minerals exploitation was not discussed during his meeting with Trump in Davos on Wednesday, adding that specific negotiations on the Arctic island would continue between the United States, Denmark and Greenland itself.
Rutte also said the intensified Arctic effort would not drain resources in support of Ukraine.
Asked if NATO allies can take Trump at his word, Rutte responded: "You can always take Donald Trump at his word".
Trump on Wednesday said the U.S. would not use force to pursue his ambition to acquire Greenland and later dropped the threat of additional tariffs against some of Washington's European allies and fellow NATO members over the issue.
(Reporting by Mark John; Writing by Alexander Smith; Editing by Jon Boyle, Aidan Lewis)
