Swedish PM warns US actions threaten smaller nations, world order

Sweden’s Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson has delivered a pointed rebuke of recent United States foreign policy, warning that its actions are undermining the international legal order and increasing global instability. Speaking at a Swedish security conference, Kristersson explicitly condemned the US military operation in Venezuela as a violation of international law and criticized Washington's aggressive stance toward Denmark and its autonomous territory of Greenland.

Critique of US Actions as a Dangerous Precedent

Kristersson argued that the United States' conduct sets a perilous example for global affairs. He stated that the military action in Venezuela risks encouraging other nations to act similarly, thereby escalating the potential for major conflicts. His critique echoes that of independent United Nations experts, who have called the US operation a "grave, manifest and deliberate violation" of the UN Charter and a dangerous precedent. Kristersson emphasized that this pattern of behavior poses a particular threat to smaller nations, which risk being "sacrificed along the way" in an increasingly unpredictable world.

Defending a Loyal Ally and Rejecting Coercion

A core part of Kristersson’s address was a firm defense of Denmark, a fellow NATO ally and neighbor. He stressed that the US should show Denmark gratitude for its loyalty, noting that over 50 Danish soldiers lost their lives fighting alongside American forces in Afghanistan and Iraq. Kristersson labeled the US administration’s rhetoric toward Greenland—a territory whose leaders have unanimously stated they "want to be Greenlanders"—as unacceptable. He argued that such coercion undermines the foundational principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity that are vital for smaller states.

Context of US Threats and European Solidarity

The Swedish leader's comments come amid escalating rhetoric from US President Donald Trump, who has insisted the US must acquire Greenland to prevent Russian or Chinese control, vowing to act "whether they like it or not" and by "the easy way or the more difficult way". These threats have sparked significant alarm across Europe, with leaders from Germany and other nations reinforcing support for Danish and Greenlandic sovereignty. Some European officials have warned that a US military move on Greenland could mean the end of the NATO alliance.