NATO chief Rutte urges NATO allies to protect Greenland amid U.S. annexation threats

NATO chief Mark Rutte has called on allies to protect Greenland and the Arctic region against rivals such as Russia and China. Speaking Monday, Rutte emphasized that all NATO members, including the United States, agree on the importance of safeguarding the region. According to NU.nl's insiders, the alliance is considering “next steps” to strengthen security in the High North, potentially including a new military mission.

The U.S. has repeatedly threatened to seize Greenland from NATO ally Denmark, even suggesting military action. Denmark has warned that such a move would effectively end NATO, a position reinforced by European officials, including European Defense Commissioner Andrius Kubilius, at a security conference in Sweden. In response, Denmark and its European partners are reportedly planning a coordinated operation, potentially called Arctic Sentry, to prevent "reckless" U.S. action.

“The collective defense is crucial,” Rutte said during a visit to Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenković. “We are currently discussing the next steps to ensure that we jointly defend what is at stake.” NATO’s focus on the Arctic has intensified since 2025, reflecting both strategic shifts and the melting polar ice, which is opening the waters to Russian and Chinese naval activity.

Echoing these concerns, Dutch caretaker Prime Minister Dick Schoof warned that NATO and Europe’s security would come under extreme pressure if the United States were to forcibly annex Greenland. “They would then come under very heavy pressure, yes. Allies do not treat each other this way,” Schoof said following renewed U.S. threats.

Public opinion in the Netherlands reflects these worries. A recent survey of over 20,000 people by EenVandaag found that 54 percent support Dutch intervention if the United States attempts to take Greenland. Sixty-eight percent of respondents expressed concern that the U.S. could actually invade, viewing such a scenario as a rupture within NATO’s mutual defense commitments.

While some suggested Denmark should relinquish Greenland to preserve the alliance, most rejected that option. Respondents largely favored firm political measures, including boycotts of U.S. products or, in a few cases, military action.

Confidence in NATO remains limited in the Netherlands, with only 45 percent expressing trust in the alliance, although this is above the low of 39 percent recorded after last year’s U.S.–Ukraine dispute.

Amid doubts about NATO, support for stronger European defense cooperation is growing: 81 percent believe Europe should form a more powerful bloc, and 55 percent now support creating a European army.