Nato chief Rutte fears the row over Greenland diverts attention from Ukraine conflict
The head of Nato fears the row over Greenland risks diverting attention from Ukraine's war with Russia.
Nato Secretary General Mark Rutte was speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos ahead of US president Donald Trump's arrival in Switzerland.
Mr Rutte spoke at an event called Can Europe Defend Itself? in a panel – which also included the presidents of Poland and Finland.
He was pressed on Mr Trump's plans to acquire Greenland and tensions with Denmark and other allies.
Although he declined to comment on the row directly – he did say it threatens to take focus away from what he believes should be the number one focus of members.
Mr Rutte said: "The risk here is that we focus, of course, on Greenland because we have to make sure that that issue gets solved in an amicable way.
"But the main issue is not Greenland now – the main issue is Ukraine.
"I'm also a little bit worried that we might drop the ball, focusing so much on these other issues.
"As we speak, Russian missiles and Russian drones are attacking the energy infrastructure in Ukraine.
"This focus on Ukraine should be our number one priority and then we can discuss all the issues, including Greenland.
"But it should be Ukraine first, because it is crucial for our European and US security."
The second-term Republican president is holding a summit with world leaders and making a keynote speech during the event.
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