EditGreenland to eclipse Ukraine at Davos vanity fair
Looking ahead, the World Economic Forum 2026 could mark a turning point - or a breaking point - for the post-World War II order
As the world’s elite descend on the snow-dusted Swiss Alps for the World Economic Forum’s 2026 Annual Meeting, an unexpected geopolitical drama is stealing the spotlight from the ongoing crisis in Ukraine: President Donald Trump’s escalating campaign to seize control of Greenland.
What was once dismissed as a quirky fixation from his first term has morphed into a full-blown transatlantic rift, complete with tariff threats and a bizarre tie-in to the Nobel Peace Prize. With Trump set to arrive on Wednesday for a highly anticipated special address, the forum – often dubbed the “Davos Vanity Fair” for its blend of high-stakes diplomacy and celebrity schmoozing – feels more like a pressure cooker than a collaborative retreat.
The meeting, running from 19 to 23 January, boasts an unprecedented line-up of over 3,000 leaders from 130 countries, including Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, and a record U.S. delegation. Yet, the buzz isn’t solely about Ukraine’s resilience amid Russian assaults on its energy grid or the fragile path to peace in Eastern Europe. Instead, whispers in the corridors of the Congress Centre revolve around Trump’s Greenland gambit, which has injected fresh uncertainty into global alliances just as markets grapple with tariff fears and Arctic security concerns.
Trump’s Wednesday arrival is awaited with a mix of dread and fascination. His “special address” at 2:30 p.m. CET is billed as a platform to discuss U.S. priorities, potentially touching on housing reforms and economic policies back home. But given the recent fireworks, many fear it could echo the shockwaves from Vice President JD Vance’s controversial speech at the 2025 Munich Security Conference. There, Vance lambasted European leaders for eroding democratic norms through censorship and suppression of dissent, likening them to Soviet commissars and warning that U.S. support hinged on upholding free speech and political legitimacy. The address left allies reeling, fracturing transatlantic trust and prompting accusations of authoritarian overtones from the MAGA administration. If Trump’s Davos remarks veer into Greenland or NATO critiques, it could further alienate Europe, already on edge from his “America First” revival.
The world remains in shock over Trump’s explicit linkage of his Greenland pursuit to his Nobel snub. In a letter forwarded to European ambassadors via the U.S. National Security Council and first reported over the weekend, Trump vented to Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre: “Considering your Country decided not to give me the Nobel Peace Prize for having stopped 8 Wars PLUS, I no longer feel an obligation to think purely of Peace… The World is not secure unless we have Complete and Total Control of Greenland.”
🚨 Trump writes letter to Norway PM, says he no longer has "obligation to think of Peace" because Norway did not give him the Nobel Peace Prize. pic.twitter.com/rHXzkdQNO8
— South Asia Index (@SouthAsiaIndex) January 19, 2026
He questioned Denmark’s historical claim, citing ancient boat landings, and argued that only U.S. oversight could shield the island from Russian or Chinese encroachment. The 2025 Nobel went to Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado, fuelling Trump’s ire despite Norway’s insistence that an independent committee decides the award. This petulant pivot has drawn widespread condemnation, with critics labelling it a dangerous conflation of personal grievance and national policy.
Adding intrigue, Trump has signalled openness to a sidelines meeting with Zelenskyy, though no firm plans are confirmed. This comes amid Trump’s pointed accusations that the Ukrainian leader is “the biggest obstacle for peace,” blaming him for prolonging the war by rejecting negotiations with Russia. Zelenskyy, attending to rally support for security guarantees and reconstruction, has emphasized the need for concrete U.S. commitments. Sources suggest Davos could be the venue for a breakthrough, with Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner and envoy Steve Witkoff on hand to broker deals. European allies, including G7 leaders, hope to leverage the gathering to lock in U.S. backing for a ceasefire framework, potentially including an $800 billion post-war recovery pact. Yet, with Trump’s focus diverted to Greenland, Ukraine risks being sidelined, raising fears that any deal could favour Moscow and undermine Kyiv’s sovereignty.
As Davos unfolds, European leaders are already pivoting to crisis mode. An emergency EU summit convenes in Brussels on Thursday, 22 January, to hash out a unified response to Trump’s tariff threats – starting at 10% on February 1 and escalating to 25% by June – targeting Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the UK, the Netherlands, and Finland for their Greenland military exercises. Ambassadors met urgently on Sunday, with France pushing for the EU’s “Anti-Coercion Instrument,” a trade “bazooka” that could slap retaliatory duties on up to $108 billion in U.S. imports. Leaders warn of a “dangerous downward spiral,” standing in solidarity with Denmark and reaffirming Greenland’s sovereignty. The meeting could yield a negotiation strategy, but retaliation remains on the table, potentially igniting a trade war that exacerbates global economic volatility.
Looking ahead, Davos 2026 could mark a turning point – or a breaking point – for the post-World War II order. If Trump’s address amplifies his Greenland demands, it might fracture NATO further, benefiting adversaries like Russia and China in the Arctic scramble. A Zelenskyy meeting, if it materializes, could represent a tentative step toward meaningful progress on Ukraine – yet it hinges on whether Trump places the imperatives of collective security and enduring stability above the allure of lucrative post-war economic opportunities, including those subtly advanced through back-channel Russian overtures to align business interests with a swift resolution.
Caption: Flags and the logo of the World Economic Forum (WEF) are pictured prior to the 56th annual meeting of the WEF in Davos, Switzerland, 19 January 2026. The meeting under the topic ‘A Spirit of Dialogue’ brings together entrepreneurs, scientists, and corporate and political leaders in Davos and takes place from 19 to 23 January in Davos. EPA/GIAN EHRENZELLER
Updated: January 19, 2026 - 15:42
