NATO chief reacts to Trump military threats for taking Greenland

Transcript

00:00You have repeatedly stated that Russia is the main threat to NATO and to Europe, of course, understandably.

00:08We all understand why.

00:09What is your comment, approximation, on the latest statements from Donald Trump,

00:16who said that if necessary he will take military action on Greenland?

00:21And I'm just going to read it.

00:23Commissioner Kubelius from European Commission has said that EU members are obliged to come to Denmark's assistance

00:29under EU treaty if faced with military aggression.

00:34And as we know, 23 countries of EU are also members of NATO.

00:39Including Croatia, yes?

00:42Yes, well, on that question, and it is a little bit, I think, repeating my previous reaction,

00:51but thank you very much for that important question.

00:53And I think what is at core here and to the core of this question is that we all make that same analysis

01:03and there is no debate or discussion about that.

01:06The analysis is sound and is there that when it comes to the High North, the Arctic region,

01:11I was myself visiting Iceland only, I think, six or eight weeks ago, and we also extensively discussed this,

01:18and I was in Norway and visiting all our allies, discussing with the US and with Canada.

01:24I was with Prime Minister Carney last week in Paris discussing the importance of the Arctic.

01:29So collectively, as an alliance, and particularly, of course, the southern countries who are bordering on the region,

01:35we do make this analysis that the collective defense is crucial.

01:39We all see that through changes in weather patterns that sea lanes are opening up,

01:46and we have to make sure that we do everything to protect that region.

01:52It is a vital part of NATO territory.

01:54And that is exactly why, where in the past NATO was not so much involved when it came to the Arctic,

02:00that since 2025, on the request by the seven High North allies who are bordering on the Arctic,

02:08that NATO has become more involved.

02:11This has led to a few, as I said, very successful discussions within the NATO alliance

02:17with our ambassadors in Brussels and our ministers.

02:20We discussed this importance, and currently we are working on the next steps

02:24to make sure that, indeed, we collectively protect what is at stake here.

02:30Thank you very much.