The news: The North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) announced that will boost its presence in the Arctic and High North, to safeguard NATO member and maintain stability in “one of the world’s most strategically significant” areas.
The context: The launch of the mission, dubbed ‘Arctic Sentry’, comes just weeks after US President Donald Trump rattled the transatlantic partnership by asserting US claims over Greenland, a territory of Denmark. Trump stepped back from threats after international outcry and a meeting with NATO secretary general Mark Rutte in Davos, Switzerland.
A NATO statement shared on Wednesday said the two leaders agreed NATO should collectively take more responsibility for the defence of the region considering Russia’s military activity and China’s growing interest there.
NATO said that Allied Command Operations (ACO) will use Arctic Sentry to better coordinate its actions in the region.
US Air Force Gen. Alexus G. Grynkewich, Supreme Allied Commander Europe, added that Arctic Sentry will “will leverage NATO’s strength to protect our territory and ensure the Arctic and High North remains secure.”
NATO defence ministers are scheduled to meet in Brussels on Thursday.