Europe Asia News

Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson attended the 2026 Sälen National Conference on Society and Defence.

Kristersson stated that the rules-based world order established after the Second World War is facing serious threats, noting that this order is based on the understanding that major powers do not impose their spheres of influence and that power does not override the rule of law.

Pointing out that despite the first signs of a possible peace in Ukraine as 2026 approaches, the global order is under greater threat than it has been for decades, Kristersson said: “As the risk of major conflicts increases, so does the risk that small nations will be sacrificed along the way. For a country like Sweden, this is particularly serious.”

Recalling that the U.S. military intervention in Venezuela led to President Maduro being brought before justice, Kristersson said: “He was not the legitimate leader of his country and few will miss him being in power. Nevertheless, this violates international law and carries the risk that more countries will act in a similar way and view the world in the same manner.”

Kristersson added that Russia views Ukraine not as an independent state but as part of its sphere of influence, that China is sending signals that it is prepared to take Taiwan by force if necessary—calling this a dangerous trend—and that the U.S. administration’s harsh rhetoric toward Denmark and Greenland has triggered justified reactions in Europe.