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Create an account Reset password Already have an account? Log in From now on you can download videos from our website If you would also like to subscribe to the newsletter and receive our latest updates, click on the button below. Enter the email address you registered with and we will send you a code to reset your password. The password must be at least 12 characters long, no spaces, include upper/lowercase letters,...
Create an account Reset password Already have an account? Log in From now on you can download videos from our website If you would also like to subscribe to the newsletter and receive our latest updates, click on the button below. Enter the email address you registered with and we will send you a code to reset your password. The password must be at least 12 characters long, no spaces, include upper/lowercase letters, numbers and symbols. Click the button to return to the page you were on and log in with your new password. 11 February 2026 2 MIN READ On Wednesday 11 February 2026, ahead of a meeting of Allied Defence Ministers at NATO headquarters, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte set out plans for a new multi-domain activity – Arctic Sentry – to bolster security in the Arctic and High North. With Russia’s increasing military activity and China’s growing interest in the Arctic, Allies have agreed to do more to ensure our collective security in this vital region. The multi-domain activity will be led by Joint Force Command Norfolk and will further strengthen NATO’s posture in the Arctic and High North by bringing together NATO and Allied activities into one, overarching operational approach. Initially it will include exercises like Denmark’s Arctic Endurance and Norway’s Cold Response – activities involving tens of thousands of personnel and the equipment they need to operate successfully in Arctic conditions. In his remarks to press, Mr Rutte praised increased Allied defence spending, urged a continued focus on defence production, and detailed his expectations for the upcoming meeting of Allied Defence Ministers. “Investment is up by tens of billions”, Mr Rutte said, commending Allies for the real progress achieved in line with commitments made at the Summit in The Hague. He further welcomed agreement on a new distribution of senior officer posts in NATO’s Command Structure – with European Allies, including the newest NATO members, taking on greater responsibility - as an example of effective burden-sharing. “We are doing this together” he emphasised “Re-distributing roles in ways that make sense for all involved.” In addition to a meeting among the 32 NATO Ministers, the Secretary General confirmed that a meeting of the NATO-Ukraine Council would also take place on Thursday, with Allies joined by Ukraine’s new Defence Minister, Mykhailo Fedorov and a representative of the European Union, a key NATO partner. Following the NATO meeting, Ministers will take part in a meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group led by the United Kingdom and Germany. “Ukraine cannot sustain this fight or secure the peace alone,” Mr Rutte stressed. “This is why Allies have backed Ukraine with action – not just words – since the first day of Russia’s full-scale invasion nearly four years ago.” Link was copied to clipboard GALLERIES Pre-ministerial press conference by the NATO Secretary General 11 February 2026 1 / 6 NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte press conference ahead of the meeting of NATO Ministers of Defence NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte press conference ahead of the meeting of NATO Ministers of Defence NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte press conference ahead of the meeting of NATO Ministers of Defence NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte press conference ahead of the meeting of NATO Ministers of Defence NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte press conference ahead of the meeting of NATO Ministers of Defence NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte press conference ahead of the meeting of NATO Ministers of Defence Back VIEW METADATA VIEW IMAGE Assets details Description Creation date Location Themes Reference Resolution Aspect radio Format Usage right Credit GALLERIES Pre-ministerial press conference by the NATO Secretary General Back 0.25 0.5 0.75 Normal 1.25 1.5 1.75 2 Back 0.25 0.5 0.75 Normal 1.25 1.5 1.75 2 Pre-ministerial press conference by the NATO Secretary General Pre-ministerial press conference by NATO Secretary General (opening remarks) View usage rights Usage rights CLOSE This media asset is free for editorial broadcast, print, online and radio use. It is restricted for use for other purposes. Back 0.25 0.5 0.75 Normal 1.25 1.5 1.75 2 Back 0.25 0.5 0.75 Normal 1.25 1.5 1.75 2 Pre-ministerial press conference by the NATO Secretary General Pre-ministerial press conference by NATO Secretary General (Q&A-01) View usage rights Usage rights CLOSE This media asset is free for editorial broadcast, print, online and radio use. It is restricted for use for other purposes. Back 0.25 0.5 0.75 Normal 1.25 1.5 1.75 2 Back 0.25 0.5 0.75 Normal 1.25 1.5 1.75 2 Pre-ministerial press conference by the NATO Secretary General Pre-ministerial press conference by NATO Secretary General (Q&A-02) View usage rights Usage rights CLOSE This media asset is free for editorial broadcast, print, online and radio use. It is restricted for use for other purposes. TITLE DATE DURATION Pre-ministerial press conference by NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte ahead of the meeting of NATO Ministers of Defence 0:00 / 0:00 Audio Language Selection: Audio Language Selection: Download Playback speed Back 0.25 0.5 0.75 Normal 1.25 1.5 1.75 2 Download Playback speed Back 0.25 0.5 0.75 Normal 1.25 1.5 1.75 2 Back 0.25 0.5 0.75 Normal 1.25 1.5 1.75 2 Pre-ministerial press conference by NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte ahead of the meeting of NATO Ministers of Defence 0:00 / 0:00 Audio Language Selection: Audio Language Selection: Download Playback speed Back 0.25 0.5 0.75 Normal 1.25 1.5 1.75 2 Download Playback speed Back 0.25 0.5 0.75 Normal 1.25 1.5 1.75 2 Back 0.25 0.5 0.75 Normal 1.25 1.5 1.75 2 Pre-ministerial press conference by NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte ahead of the meeting of NATO Ministers of Defence 0:00 / 0:00 Audio Language Selection: Audio Language Selection: Download Playback speed Back 0.25 0.5 0.75 Normal 1.25 1.5 1.75 2 Download Playback speed Back 0.25 0.5 0.75 Normal 1.25 1.5 1.75 2 Back 0.25 0.5 0.75 Normal 1.25 1.5 1.75 2 Pre-ministerial press conference by NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte ahead of the meeting of NATO Ministers of Defence 0:00 / 0:00 Audio Language Selection: Audio Language Selection: Download Playback speed Back 0.25 0.5 0.75 Normal 1.25 1.5 1.75 2 Download Playback speed Back 0.25 0.5 0.75 Normal 1.25 1.5 1.75 2 Back 0.25 0.5 0.75 Normal 1.25 1.5 1.75 2 Pre-ministerial press conference by NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte ahead of the meetings of NATO Ministers of Defence
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