Trump's Greenland Obsession Sparks Diplomatic Crisis, Denmark Excluded from Peace Initiative
In a dramatic escalation of diplomatic tensions, former US President Donald Trump has effectively "ruined" NATO ties with Denmark by excluding the Scandinavian nation from the newly launched Board of Peace initiative. This exclusion stems directly from Trump's renewed and controversial push to purchase Greenland, a move that has reignited a longstanding territorial dispute and sent shockwaves through European capitals.
The Greenland Gambit and Diplomatic Fallout
The crisis unfolded during the Davos World Economic Forum 2026, where Trump unveiled his Board of Peace, a platform aimed at global conflict resolution. However, in a stunning sidelining, Denmark was conspicuously absent from the launch. Diplomatic sources confirm this was a direct retaliation after Denmark firmly rejected Trump's overtures regarding Greenland, with Danish officials drawing a "red line" and declaring they "won't cede even an inch" of sovereign territory.
This unilateral action has left key EU allies "miffed" and deeply concerned. The exclusion of a founding NATO member from a major US-led peace initiative is seen as a significant fracture in Western unity, raising serious questions about the future of transatlantic relations and Arctic security cooperation within the NATO framework.
Broader Implications for Global Alliances
The fallout extends beyond the immediate US-Denmark rift. The Board of Peace launch at Davos became a focal point for global power dynamics. While figures like Belarus's leadership and Hungary's Viktor Orban reportedly joined the initiative, other major players signaled caution or refusal. Notably, China's Xi Jinping is said to have confronted Trump's Gaza ceasefire diplomacy power play, refusing to participate.
Furthermore, European leaders used the forum to voice their discontent. Germany's opposition leader Friedrich Merz delivered a blistering critique, while Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky publicly criticized European inaction. Meanwhile, Trump's rhetoric continued to sow discord, as he reportedly bashed allies like Spain and Nigeria on religious issues and even humiliated Israeli PM Netanyahu over the Iron Dome system.
A Weakened Western Front?
Analysts view this episode as symptomatic of a deeper strain in the US-Europe alliance. The combination of territorial disputes, exclusionary diplomacy, and public criticism from a former US president is creating what some describe as a "code red for America" in terms of diplomatic credibility. The situation is compounded by other developments, such as Russia's Vladimir Putin setting conditions for joining the peace board and leaked details of a potential "UK-style control" deal for Greenland.
As NATO scrambles to manage the crisis—with Secretary-General Mark Rutte involved in emergency talks—the Greenland dispute has evolved from a quirky historical footnote into a central flashpoint threatening the cohesion of the Western alliance at a time of global uncertainty.
