Cold War memories stir Rubio in Iceland as he champions diplomacy and downplays differences
Rubio said Washington shares Iceland’s Arctic security concerns and wants stronger commercial and defense ties as tensions with Russia rise, officials said.
- On Tuesday, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio began a three-nation NATO tour with a stop in Iceland to address persistent unease about the Trump administration's Arctic intentions, despite a recent deal easing designs on Greenland.
- Icelanders remain on edge following Trump's undiplomatic comments, including mistakenly naming the country four times while discussing Greenland; last month, Trump alarmed locals by posting a map showing the US flag sprawling across North America, Greenland, and Iceland.
- US Ambassador Billy Long drew local protests after joking about Iceland becoming a US state, prompting Iceland Foreign Secretary Thorgerdur Katrún Gunnarsdóttir to summon him last month to protest the post as unacceptable.
- While in Iceland, Rubio defended US Ambassador to Greece Kimberly Guilfoyle against allegations of misconduct, though Rep. Gregory Meeks announced last week the House Foreign Affairs Committee will investigate the ambassador's alleged impropriety.
- Rubio called the three nations "strong allies" that are important for protecting US national interests; he will visit Greece and Portugal before returning to Washington on Thursday to continue reassuring partners.
34 Articles
34 Articles
'Threats growing…': Rubio calls Iceland ‘vital’ to Arctic security as US counters Russian influence
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio highlighted Iceland’s strategic importance as security concerns grow across the Arctic. Speaking in Reykjavik alongside Icelandic Foreign Minister Thorgerdur Katrin Gunnarsdottir, Rubio said Iceland’s location between the United States, Europe and the High North places it at the center of regional security and defense questions.
The US Secretary of State highlighted security cooperation during his visit to Iceland.
After arriving the night before Reikiavik, the Icelandic capital, Rubio will meet with Prime Minister Kristrun Frostadóttir, as well as with his counterpart, Mr.Görgerður Katrin Gunnarsdóttir. He will also visit the Keflavik base, a former U.S. military facility, where he will meet with members of the Navy there. "They are NATO members and good friends of the United States. That is why it is a good opportunity to scale there and meet with them,"…
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