Europe Asia News

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said, “In a time when Russia's military activities are increasing and China's interest in the Arctic is growing, it is important that we do more, which is why we are launching the Arctic Sentry mission.”

According to NATO's statement, the Arctic Sentry mission was launched on Wednesday to reduce tensions arising after U.S. President Donald Trump's desire to take control of Greenland.

U.S. Air Forces Europe Commander Alexus G. Grynkewich, according to a press release, said, "This mission will use NATO's strength to protect our region and ensure the security of the Arctic and the North Pole."

Mark Rutte said in a press conference on Wednesday, "What’s new about the Arctic Sentry mission is that, for the first time, we are bringing together everything we do in the Arctic under one command."

Norway’s upcoming Cold Response exercise and Denmark’s Arctic Resilience exercise will serve as examples of exercises coordinated under Arctic Sentry.

According to NATO, earlier this year at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Donald Trump and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte agreed that NATO should take more responsibility for defense in the Arctic, due to China’s growing interest in the region and Russia’s military activities.