NATO general says alliance found out about Trump’s Greenland deal when 'everyone else did'

WASHINGTON, DC: NATO's top general in Europe, Alexus G Grynkewich, said on Thursday, January 22, that the alliance did not know about a new "deal" for Greenland that President Donald Trump mentioned this week.

Trump announced that a "framework" for a future agreement regarding Greenland is now ready after talking with the Secretary General of NATO, Mark Rutte.

NATO general surprised by framework news

While addressing the NATO Military Committee Session on Thursday, General Grynkewich explained that the news was a total surprise to them. 

“We had no discussion about that security framework,” he said. He added that his team only found out when the rest of the world did, saying, “We found out about it when everyone else did when it hit the news yesterday.”

The general also made it clear that some reports about the military being involved were not true

He stated, “So, there was, even though it's been reported elsewhere that we had some military discussion, that is not correct.” 

He further explained that while there are military drills coming up, they aren't happening on the island.

“There are few exercises that are planned upcoming in the Arctic over the coming months, but none on Greenland itself,” Grynkewich added.

General Alexus G Grynkewich details ongoing Arctic military drills

General Grynkewich pointed out that current military work in the area is being done through NORAD.

“As I mentioned, NORAD is executing some of those exercises in close coordination with us,” he said.

He explained that this group is a “bilateral command between two allies, the United States and Canada.”

He also gave details on the specific mission currently taking place. “That exercise is called Noble Defender,” he said, adding that “It's executing out of Pituffik space Force base.” 

He told the media that the mission uses both “Canadian fighters” and “US tankers.” 

To make sure everything runs smoothly, he noted, “I stay very closely in touch with the commander of NORAD on these activities.”

Trump reveals Arctic and Greenland framework

The framework mentioned by Trump is a new plan to work more closely with Greenland on security and trade.

As part of this deal, the president also canceled planned tariffs on Greenland to show that the US is serious about this partnership. 

Taking to Truth Social, Trump said, "Based upon a very productive meeting that I have had with the Secretary General of NATO, Mark Rutte, we have formed the framework of a future deal with respect to Greenland and, in fact, the entire Arctic Region."

He added, "This solution, if consummated, will be a great one for the United States of America, and all NATO Nations."