NATO allies will need to significantly strengthen their presence and cooperation in the Arctic following a new framework deal on Greenland agreed with U.S. President Donald Trump, NATO

Secretary General Mark Rutte said on Thursday.

Speaking to Reuters on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Rutte said the agreement underscores the growing strategic importance of the Arctic and will require contributions not only from Arctic nations but also from NATO members further south.

According to Rutte, the responsibility now shifts to NATO’s military leadership to translate the political agreement into concrete security measures. Senior NATO commanders will begin working through the operational details, including what additional capabilities and deployments are needed in the region.

“We will come together in NATO with our senior commanders to work out what is necessary,” Rutte said, expressing confidence that the alliance can move quickly.

He added that early results from the enhanced Arctic security efforts could be visible as soon as this year, with more substantial progress expected in 2026 — potentially even in the early months of that year.

Rutte also emphasized that non-Arctic NATO allies are likely to play an active role, reflecting the alliance’s collective approach to security at a time when geopolitical competition in the Arctic is intensifying due to climate change, new shipping routes, and increased military interest from global powers.

The Greenland framework deal highlights NATO’s growing focus on the High North as a strategic priority, signaling that Arctic security is no longer a regional issue but a core concern for the entire alliance. Photo by US gov, Wikimedia commons.