NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte has called for a stronger military focus on the Arctic during a visit to Norway, warning of increased Russian and Chinese activity in the region and advocating for more robust allied defense planning.

On his first official trip to northern Norway as NATO chief, Mark Rutte underscored that the Arctic and the High North are “crucial” to NATO’s overall security. “This is about what collectively we are doing to make sure that we keep NATO territory safe,” he said.

Rutte expressed concern over emerging threats in the Arctic, including the growing presence of Russian and Chinese forces and the strategic importance of increasingly navigable sea lanes. He stressed the need for coordinated defense planning among Arctic allies—Iceland, Norway, Finland, Denmark, Sweden, Canada, and the United States.

Norway's Arctic Capabilities Praised

Welcoming Rutte to North Norway, Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store said the visit held “serious strategic significance.” Store highlighted Norway’s investments in Arctic defense, including F-35 jets, maritime patrol aircraft, drones, submarines, and space-based systems.

“With Sweden and Finland joining NATO, the whole perspective of allied reinforcement in times of crisis gets another depth,” Store added, emphasizing the shifting regional security landscape.

Eyes on The Hague Summit and Expanded Spending

Rutte confirmed that Arctic security would be a key topic at the upcoming NATO Summit in The Hague. He pushed for significantly increased defense budgets across the alliance, stating: “Much, much more than the famous 2%” is now necessary.

He cited the reconstitution of Russian military forces, Chinese military expansion, and persistent terrorism threats as drivers for enhanced readiness.

Enhancing Presence and Coordination

Addressing Russian base modernization and regional tensions, Rutte outlined NATO’s response: “Improved situational awareness, reinforcement, improved capabilities, revised command and control arrangements, increased exercises, and training.”

This reflects a strategic shift in NATO’s focus toward the Arctic, where threats and opportunities are converging amid great power rivalry and climate-driven change.