Rutte: Russia and China are stepping up their activities in the Arctic

NATO is intensifying discussions on Arctic security. Secretary General Mark Rutte confirmed that all member countries consider Arctic security a priority, while warning of growing activity by Russia and China in the region.

The impetus for the new debates is also the position of US President Donald Trump, who has stated that the US should "own Greenland" so that other powers do not control it. Greenland, although an autonomous part of Denmark, hosts a US military base.

Both Danish and Greenlandic authorities have previously rejected any consideration of selling the territory. European diplomats suggest that NATO could prepare a security operation similar to those on the alliance's eastern flank, such as Baltic Sentry and Eastern Sentry.

No decision has yet been made on specific steps, but the goal is to offer a practical response to US concerns.

(reuters, mja)