Nordic leaders on Monday pledged deeper cooperation to strengthen civil preparedness and resilience amid rising global instability, while reaffirming support for Ukraine and the two-state solution in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
In a joint statement following a summer summit in Finland, the governments of Finland, Denmark, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, Greenland, the Faroe Islands, and Åland emphasized their “unwavering commitment” to peace, security, and crisis response.
“We will build resilient communities equipped to face future uncertainties,” the statement said, highlighting increased collaboration in areas including nuclear safety, energy, climate, finance, health, education, and digital services.
The summit came as Russia continues its war in Ukraine. Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo said Nordic countries are boosting defense spending in response to the “long-term threat” posed by Moscow.
Orpo also noted that U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent criticism of Vladimir Putin’s airstrikes on Ukraine may signal a shift: “It looks like Trump is frustrated with Putin... I hope this shows he understands Putin doesn’t want peace.”
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen added, “Russia is not interested in peace. During the day, Putin talks about negotiations; at night, he bombs Ukraine.” She confirmed Nordic support for Ukraine through military aid and industrial cooperation.
Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said any peace deal must be “on Ukrainian terms,” warning that “a bad peace would be an invitation for another assault.”
Backing Greenland, rejecting Trump’s territorial ambitions
Frederiksen and Greenland’s Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen thanked Nordic allies for backing Denmark against Trump’s earlier push to acquire Greenland. “The future of Greenland has to be decided in Greenland,” Frederiksen said.
Nielsen called for full respect for international law and territorial rights. Norway’s Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre reassured, “We stand by you and Denmark in solidarity.”
Nordic leaders expressed support for a two-state solution as the path forward for peace between Israel and Palestine.
Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo described the two-state solution as the “only sustainable” way forward.
Iceland’s Prime Minister Kristrun Frostadottir said the international community must act quickly to address the humanitarian situation. “The time for action is coming,” she said.
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