NATO Secretary General visits Norway and observes exercise Cold Response 26 in the High North

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On Wednesday (18 March 2026), NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte visited Norway, where he met Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre before travelling north to Bardufoss Air Base and the Setermoen training area, to observe exercise Cold Response 26.

Speaking at a press conference in Setermoen with Minister of Defence Tore O. Sandvik, and Minister of Foreign Affairs Espen Barth Eide, the Secretary General described Norway as “a key player” for the security of NATO’s northern flank. “You have developed specialised military capabilities tailored not just to cold-weather operations, but to Arctic and also to sub-Arctic conditions,” he said, adding that Norway provides NATO with a wide range of capabilities for Arctic operations, and conducts vital activities and exercises, including Cold Response.

Cold Response 26 is taking place mainly in northern Norway, as well as in Finland, with more than 32,000 personnel from 14 Allies participating, including some 25,000 in Norway and 7,000 in Finland. The exercise is one of the Allied activities contributing to Arctic Sentry, NATO’s enhanced Vigilance Activity in the Arctic and the High North, led by Joint Force Command Norfolk.

During his visit, Mr Rutte also met senior Norwegian military leaders, including the Chief of the Norwegian Army, Major General Lars Lervik, and the Commander of the Norwegian Joint Headquarters, Vice Admiral Rune Andersen. “We have seen many examples today of our military readiness,” the Secretary General said. “How exercising and learning from one another builds bonds between Allies, and ensures the ability of NATO nations to operate effectively, and to do this together.”

Earlier in the day in Oslo, ahead of his meeting with Prime Minister Støre, the Secretary General also praised Norway’s broad contribution to Allied security. “What Norway is doing - in terms of defence spending, the support for Ukraine, keeping NATO safe on the eastern flank, in the Arctic - you are really punching above your weight,” he told the Prime Minister.