Former Swedish PM open to sending troops to Greenland amid Trump pressure

Former Swedish Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson has raised the prospect of Swedish military involvement in Greenland as part of a broader European show of solidarity with Denmark, amid escalating U.S. interest in the Arctic territory.

A Show of European Solidarity

Speaking at the People and Armed Forces National Conference in Salen, the leader of Sweden’s opposition Social Democrats stated she was “no stranger to increased military presence in Greenland.” Andersson emphasized the importance of European unity, noting, “It is of course important that Sweden and all European countries stand firmly behind Greenland and Denmark.” She clarified that any deployment would need to follow a formal request from both the Danish government and Greenland’s autonomous leadership.

Response to U.S. Acquisition Rhetoric

The remarks follow a proposal from her party’s youth wing urging the deployment of EU troops to counter what it termed threatening rhetoric from former U.S. President Donald Trump. Trump has repeatedly suggested acquiring Greenland and recently stated, “We are going to do something on Greenland, whether they like it or not,” while refusing to rule out military action. Greenland’s political leaders have unanimously rejected becoming part of the United States, declaring, “We want to be Greenlanders.”

Broader Warning on International Order

The current Swedish Prime Minister, Ulf Kristersson, also attending the conference, framed the situation within a larger geopolitical shift. He warned that the rules-based international order is under severe pressure, citing U.S. rhetoric towards Greenland and actions in Venezuela as “very serious.” This sentiment underscores growing European concern over unilateral actions that challenge established alliances, including NATO.