Bilateral Talks, Not an Alliance-Wide Agreement
Any new security arrangement for Greenland negotiated by NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte must be presented to all allies before taking effect, Spain’s Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares told Euronews on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos. Albares stressed that the recent discussions between Rutte and US President Donald Trump were strictly bilateral.
“This is a bilateral arrangement, not NATO,” he said. “It is the Secretary General of NATO talking to one of the allies.” He added that foreign ministers from other member states have only the public announcement and expect the details to be formally discussed within NATO’s council (Euronews, 2026).
Greenland’s Future Lies with Its People
The announcement by Trump on Wednesday suggested that Washington and Rutte had reached an understanding to boost US military presence in Greenland, allowing for additional Arctic bases. Albares emphasized that Greenland’s future rests with its people and Denmark.
“The people have said it very clearly — they want to remain as part of Denmark,” he told Euronews. Earlier, Trump had threatened tariffs on several European countries to push for a “complete and total sale” of Greenland, citing US national security interests against China and Russia. Danish authorities have repeatedly rejected any transfer of sovereignty, echoing public sentiment in Greenland.
Europe Must Strengthen Its Defence
Albares criticized the US approach as unacceptable and warned the EU would not negotiate under pressure. He highlighted the need for Europe to defend its values and maintain peace through stronger security structures.
“If we want to continue being a land of peace where no one can bring war or coerce us, through force or trade threats, we need deterrence in our own hands,” Albares said. He called for a coalition of willing European states, integration of defence industries, and ultimately the creation of a European army (Euronews, 2026).
Source: Euronews, 2026.
