Former Swedish PM warns EU to prepare for US moves on Greenland: ‘It’s not a joke’

By Elías Thorsson January 26, 2025
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Former Prime Minister of Sweden, Carl Bildt at the National Coalition Party (NCP) presidential candidate Alexander Stubb’s election reception in Helsinki, Finland, on February 11, 2024. (Photo by EMMI KORHONEN/LEHTIKUVA/Sipa USA)

Former Swedish Prime Minister Carl Bildt has issued a stark warning about renewed U.S. interest in Greenland, urging the EU to brace for a potential geopolitical conflict. In a tweet on X (formerly Twitter), the former leader declared, “It’s not a joke. Trump is really out to extend the territory of the 🇺🇸 by getting 🇬🇱. Short of the US Marines storming ashore in Nuuk 🇩🇰🇪🇺 needs to get ready for a serious confrontation.”


The tweet was shared alongside a BBC article reporting on the growing strategic importance of Greenland. The article references a reportedly heated 45-minute phone call between former U.S. President Donald Trump and Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen that took place recently. The discussion is said to have been marked by sharp disagreements over the Arctic territory’s future. Greenland, a semi-autonomous part of Denmark, has drawn increasing attention due to its vast reserves of rare earth minerals and its strategic location in the Arctic, where melting ice is opening up new shipping routes.

At a recent press conference, former U.S. President Donald Trump was asked about the prospect of Greenland coming under U.S. control. Trump notably refused to rule out the use of military or trade coercion against its traditional ally as potential strategies to achieve his goal.

The former Swedish Prime Minister, who served from 1991 to 1994, is widely recognized for as an experienced diplomat. In addition to his tenure as Sweden’s Foreign Minister from 2006 to 2014, he has played key roles in resolving regional conflicts, including in the Balkans and has been a prominent advocate for European cooperation on foreign policy and security issues. Currently, he serves as the Co-Chair of the European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR), an influential think tank focused on advancing Europe’s global role and addressing major geopolitical challenges.