Sweden is highly critical of the "threatening rhetoric" against Greenland and Denmark from US President Donald Trump's administration, Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said on Sunday. Germany reiterated its support for Denmark and Greenland.
Kristersson said in a speech on Sunday that the rules-based world order was under greater threat than for many decades.
"We are highly critical of what the United States is now doing and has done in Venezuela, in regards to international law, and probably even more critical of the rhetoric that is being expressed against Greenland and Denmark," he said at an annual security conference in northern Sweden.
"On the contrary, the United States should thank Denmark, which has been a very loyal ally over the years."
President Donald Trump said on Friday that the US needs to own Greenland to prevent Russia or China from occupying it in the future. He has repeatedly said that Russian and Chinese vessels are operating near Greenland, something Nordic countries have rejected.
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Sweden to invest $1.6 billion in air defence systems
Sweden will spend 15 billion Swedish crowns ($1.6 billion) on air defence aimed at primarily protecting civilians and civilian infrastructure, the government said on Sunday.
Sweden has, like most European countries, invested heavily in defence following Russia's invasion of Ukraine. However, Sweden's vast territory has remained vulnerable to aerial threats.
"The experience from the war in Ukraine clearly shows how crucial a robust and resilient air defence is," Defence Minister Pal Jonson told reporters at a security conference in northern Sweden.
He said Sweden would buy short-range air defence systems to protect cities, bridges, power plants and other critical infrastructure.
On Sunday Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson criticised the US administration's
"threatening rhetoric" against Greenland and Denmark, saying the US should thank Denmark for being a loyal ally.
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'International law applies to everyone'
Meanwhile, German Finance Minister and Vice Chancellor Lars Klingbeil said on Sunday that the principles of international law apply to everyone, including the United States, in reference to President Trump's threats to seize Greenland.
"It is solely up to Denmark and Greenland to decide about Greenland's future. Territorial sovereignty and integrity must be respected," Klingbeil said ahead of his departure to Washington for a meeting of finance ministers from the Group of Seven advanced economies.
Germany reiterated its support for Denmark and Greenland ahead of meetings in Washington on Monday.
A US military seizure of the mineral-rich Arctic island from Denmark, a long-time ally, would send shockwaves through NATO and deepen the divide between Trump and European leaders.
"We increase security in the Arctic together as NATO allies, not in opposition to one another," Klingbeil said.
(Reuters)
