Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda told Reuters in Davos that a joint security arrangement for the Arctic and North Atlantic could defuse the US-Europe dispute over Greenland. He warned that the row distracts from the war in Ukraine and benefits Russia, and urged the United States to de-escalate. An emergency EU summit will test European unity, while Nausėda said Europe will need about 10–15 years to build real strategic autonomy.
Lithuania Proposes Joint Arctic-North Atlantic Security Pact to Defuse Greenland Dispute
Lithuania's President Gitanas Nauseda attends the 56th annual World Economic Forum (WEF) meeting in Davos, Switzerland, January 20, 2026. REUTERS/Denis Balibouse
Davos, Switzerland, Jan 20 (Reuters) - Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda said on Tuesday that a formal agreement to share responsibility for security in the Arctic and the North Atlantic could offer a pragmatic way to resolve the standoff between the United States and Europe over Greenland.
Speaking to Reuters on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum, Nausėda warned that the public spat over Greenland was diverting attention from Russia's invasion of Ukraine and playing into Moscow's hands. He urged Washington to take steps to de-escalate tensions.
"The best outcome would be just to agree on common responsibility on the security of the Arctic region and North Atlantic region. Is it possible to achieve? We should do our best to go this way, because this is the best way," he said.
U.S. President Donald Trump said on Tuesday there was "no going back" on his aim of acquiring Greenland, refused to rule out seizing the Arctic island by force and criticized allied governments. Trump's comments have raised concerns that the dispute could strain transatlantic ties and risk undermining NATO cohesion.
Nausėda said EU leaders will discuss their response at an emergency summit on Thursday, which he described as a test of European unity. He added that developments over the next two weeks are likely to determine how the dispute is resolved.
Highlighting the wider strategic stakes, the Lithuanian president warned that the Greenland row had distracted from the war in Ukraine and created extra challenges for Europe's eastern flank. He said continued U.S. support was vital while Europe strengthened its own defence posture.
"Europe needs time in order to implement this strategic autonomy, not only on paper, but in reality," Nausėda said. "We need 10 to 15 years' time." He stressed that de-escalation is possible only if both sides are willing to engage.
Reporting: Dave Graham. Editing: Alexander Smith.
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