NATO Secretary General Highlights Iceland‘s Strategic Importance and Support for Ukraine
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte concluded a visit to Iceland on Thursday,November 27th,meeting with Prime Minister Kristrún Frostadóttir and Foreign Minister Þorgerður Katrín Gunnarsdóttir. The visit underscored Iceland’s vital role within the alliance and its commitment to collective security.
A key component of the Secretary General’s trip involved observing Iceland’s response to recent volcanic activity. He toured Keflavík Air Base and gained an aerial perspective of the lava barriers constructed near Grindavík, designed to protect the town and essential infrastructure from ongoing eruptions. Rutte praised the barriers as “impressive,” and commended iceland’s “commitment, ingenuity and resilience” in the face of natural disaster.
During discussions with Icelandic leaders,Rutte expressed gratitude for Iceland’s consistent contributions to NATO. He specifically welcomed the recent presentation of Iceland’s first formal defense policy to its parliament. Rutte emphasized Iceland’s geographically strategic location, noting its importance for the security of both North america and Europe across maritime, subsurface, and aerial domains. He highlighted Iceland’s operation of critical air defence and surveillance systems integrated into NATO’s broader Integrated Air and missile Defence network, as well as the facilities and support provided at Keflavík for NATO’s Air Policing missions.
The Secretary general also acknowledged Iceland’s notable support for Ukraine, citing over 8 million euros contributed to the Prioritized Ukraine Requirement List (PURL).He further noted Iceland’s backing of initiatives like the Danish defence industry model and the Czech Ammunition Initiative, alongside direct funding for prosthetics for wounded Ukrainian soldiers and collaborative demining efforts with Lithuania. Rutte stated these contributions “save lives and strengthen Ukraine’s defence,” sending a strong message of allied solidarity to Moscow.
This trip marked Rutte’s inaugural visit to Iceland as assuming the role of NATO Secretary General in October of the previous year.
