| TRUMP: 'IT'S THE ULTIMATE LONG-TERM DEAL': In a headspinning turn of events, President Donald Trump pivoted from his angry tirade delivered in the morning session of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, to a triumphant declaration of success, declaring a satisfactory end to the transatlantic crisis of his own making. While his morning speech began by taking military force to conquer Greenland off the table, it quickly devolved into a Festivus-worthy list of grievances, including complaints that Denmark was "ungrateful" for refusing to return Greenland after the U.S. "gave it back" after World War II. "What we have gotten out of NATO is nothing," Trump groused, while repeating his territorial demands. "All we're asking for is to get Greenland, including right, title, and ownership, because you need the ownership to defend it." But as the U.S. stock market sank, and European resolve stiffened, Trump saw the whole situation in a different light after meeting with NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte. "We have formed the framework of a future deal with respect to Greenland and, in fact, the entire Arctic Region," Trump posted on Truth Social. "Based upon this understanding, I will not be imposing the Tariffs that were scheduled to go into effect on February 1st." Trump insisted the framework agreement, "for the USA, gets everything we wanted." He told reporters after descending a long escalator, "It's the ultimate long-term deal, and I think it puts everybody in a really good position, especially as it pertains to security and minerals and everything else." Asked how long-term is long-term, Trump replied "Infinite … there is no time limit, it's forever." In a later interview with CNBC, Trump called the handshake agreement "a concept of a deal," which he said covered Greenland, but also the "Arctic as a whole," and has to do with security, great security." "I think it's going to be a very good deal for the United States, also for them," he said. US HAS AGREED TO 'FRAMEWORK OF A FUTURE DEAL' ON GREENLAND AFTER RUTTE MEETING: TRUMP RUTTE: SOVEREIGNTY 'DID NOT COME UP': Trump decided he had a deal once Rutte laid out NATO's plans for boosting Arctic security, and various sources have reported that, in a face-saving gesture, the U.S. might be granted sovereignty over "small pockets' of land its new bases would occupy. But in an interview with Fox News anchor Bret Baier, Rutte said he never discussed Greenland's sovereignty. "That issue did not come up anymore in my conversations tonight with the president," Rutte said. "He's very much focused on what do we need to do to make sure that that huge Arctic region, where change is taking place at the moment, where the Chinese and Russians are more and more active, how we can protect it. That was really the focus of our discussions." Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said in a statement that she had talked to Rutte both before and after his meeting with Trump and that NATO is fully aware of Denmark's position that it welcomes discussion of security, investment, and economic issues, but that "we cannot negotiate on our sovereignty." It appears that what Trump has achieved is an agreement for Denmark to consider and likely grant Trump requests for construction of military bases and Golden Dome missile sites, as well are right of first refusal for mineral rights, all things that were available for discussion under the 1951 defense treaty, which coincidentally is also "forever," given that it has no expiration date. "The day is ending on a better note than it began," Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen posted on X. "We welcome that POTUS has ruled out to take Greenland by force and paused the trade war. Now, let's sit down and find out how we can address the American security concerns in the Arctic while respecting the red lines of the [Kingdom of Denmark]." "To be clear – Greenland and Denmark have always been willing to work with us on Arctic security and economic development," Sen. Chris Coons (D-DE) posted on X. "Trump could have gotten what we needed without antagonizing our NATO allies." BACON: 'IT'S GOING TO TAKE A WHILE TO REPAIR THIS': While Europeans are breathing a sigh of relief, their trust in America as an ally has been greatly shaken by Trump's threats to use force against a NATO ally. "They have spooked the Europeans," William Taylor, former U.S. ambassador to Ukraine, said on CNN. "The Europeans are very happy that this problem is now gone away, and it's gone back to something that we've already had." "The Europeans and Ukrainians, by the way, are pursuing two tracks. One is they're trying to keep the Americans on board, trying to keep Donald Trump on board. But at the same time, because they, the Americans and Donald Trump, may not be there forever, they're building up their own capabilities. That has been reinforced over the past week," Taylor said. "I do think trust has been violated by the actions of our president," Rep. Don Bacon (R-NE) said in a separate interview on CNN. "I hear it from the leaders in multiple different countries, not just one, but many different countries. And they don't trust that President Trump will be there if they're — if they, you know, combat, if Russia, say, goes into Poland." "It's going to take a while to repair this and restore confidence. And it's a shame because I've worked with these countries," said Bacon, a retired Air Force one-star general. "I served in NATO, they were with us in Afghanistan, many of them were with us in Iraq. And they've been great allies. And we want to protect that, not undermine it." The question that has been hanging over this crisis from day one is this: Did Trump get anything from his grandstanding that the U.S. couldn't have achieved by asking politely? GREENLAND OFF-RAMP IS TRUMP'S LATEST NATO DE-ESCALATION Good Thursday morning and welcome to Jamie McIntyre's Daily on Defense, written and compiled by Washington Examiner National Security Senior Writer Jamie McIntyre (@jamiejmcintyre) and edited by Christopher Tremoglie. Email here with tips, suggestions, calendar items, and anything else. Sign up or read current and back issues at DailyonDefense.com. If signing up doesn't work, shoot us an email and we'll add you to our list. And be sure to follow me on Threads and/or on X @jamiejmcintyre. CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP OR READ BACK ISSUES OF DAILY ON DEFENSE HAPPENING TODAY: ZELENSKY IN DAVOS: After first seeing no need to attend the World Economic Forum in Davos, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was essentially summoned to Switzerland by President Trump, as the U.S. tries to restart the shuttle diplomacy to end the Russia-Ukraine war, which will enter its fifth year next month. "It's a bloodbath over there, and that's what I want to stop," Trump said in his remarks yesterday. "Last month, it was 31,000 soldiers died. Think of it. 30,000 soldiers died in one month. The month before, it was 27,000. The month before that, it was 28,000. The month before that, it was 25,000." Zelensky comes as Ukraine is shivering under a cruel Russian campaign targeting crucial energy resources in an effort to deny heat and electricity to the civilian population. "Air defense missiles are needed daily. Weapons are needed daily. Equipment for recovery and reserves is needed daily," Zelensky posted earlier this week on X. Zelensky is expected to deliver a speech at Davos, participate in a panel discussion on Ukraine's Recovery, and meet on the sidelines with Trump. WITKOFF AND KUSHNER OFF TO MOSCOW: Meanwhile, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, Trump's point men on the Ukraine peace effort, will leave Davos and are scheduled to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin late today. Before leaving, Witkoff said that the negotiations were down to one main remaining issue, and that if the two sides reached an agreement, the war could end. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov refused to comment on Witkoff's statement and said only that Putin "highly values peacemaking efforts" by the Trump administration. The latest analysis by the Institute for the Study of War concluded, "The Kremlin remains committed to its original war aims and is not publicly showing any new willingness to commit to meaningful compromises to end its war against Ukraine." "I think Putin has reached a psychological point where he really cannot let go of the situation, because if he does, he will admit his failure. And what he has done is a failure. If you look at the amount of territory captured, it is really minimal," retired Lt. Gen. Keith Kellogg said in remarks at Davos. Kellogg, who the Trump administration pushed aside for being too pro-Ukraine, said Putin "is trying to find a good way out of this situation because he knows he will not win this war." "And I hope that by Independence Day this summer, peace will reign in the country," Kellogg said, insisting that the security guarantees offered Ukraine, which would include the deployment of foreign troops and a Ukrainian army of about 800,000 troops, would ensure the war would not start again." RUSSIA-UKRAINE PEACE EFFORTS REVIVED AS TRUMP MEETS WITH ZELENSKY AND DISPATCHES WITKOFF TO MOSCOW RUTTE: UKRAINE, NOT GREENLAND, IS 'THE MAIN ISSUE': Before President Trump disrupted the transatlantic alliance with threats against Denmark and Greenland, it was expected that Ukraine would dominate the agenda at Davos. In his appearance on stage, Secretary-General Mark Rutte expressed concern that the Greenland "crisis" was distracting from NATO's biggest challenge. "The risk here is that we focus, of course, on Greenland because we have to make sure that that issue gets solved in an amicable way. But the main issue is not Greenland now, the main issue is Ukraine," Rutte said. "I'm also a little bit worried that we might drop the ball, focusing so much on these other issues." "As we speak, Russian missiles and Russian drones are attacking the energy infrastructure in Ukraine. We know that it is now minus 20 degrees in Kyiv. We know that Ukraine can only take care of 60% of its own electricity," Rutte said, noting that Russian attacks have been unrelenting despite the horrific casualties they are suffering on the battlefield. "It is true, the Russians have lost in December 1000 people dead – not seriously wounded, dead – a day," Rutte said. "In the 1980s in Afghanistan, the Soviets lost 20,000 in 10 years. Now they lose 30,000 in one month." "And yes, great if there is a peace deal. Everybody's working on that," Rutte said. "In the meantime, Ukrainians do not have enough interceptors, [do not] have enough American gear — [which] particularly they need because it is not any longer available in Europe — for them to defend themselves. So, this focus in Ukraine should be our number one priority, and then we can discuss on all the issues, including Greenland. But it should be Ukraine first because it is crucial for our European and U.S. security." BOARD OF PEACE LAUNCHED: At a signing ceremony in Davos this morning, President Trump formally launched his Board of Peace, which he billed as an adjunct to, and possible replacement for, the United Nations. The White House says 60 nations have been invited to join, and 35 countries have agreed to sign on to the initiative. It's not clear exactly what was being signed today since the organization's official charter has yet to be drafted. The original idea came from Trump's 20-point Gaza ceasefire plan, but he has since described it as a global peace-making body. Hungary, Belarus, and Uzbekistan were quick to accept Trump's invitation, while Canada, Russia, and China are still studying the proposal. France, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, and Slovenia have declined to sign on for now. "Once this board is completely formed, we can do pretty much whatever we want to do. And we'll do it in conjunction with the United Nations," Trump said, suggesting it could work to resolve wars beyond the Middle East. QATAR AND TURKEY JOIN 'BOARD OF PEACE' DESPITE ISRAELI PROTEST THE RUNDOWN: Washington Examiner: US has agreed to 'framework of a future deal' on Greenland after Rutte meeting: Trump Washington Examiner: Greenland off-ramp is Trump's latest NATO de-escalation Washington Examiner: With attention on Trump and Greenland at Davos, Iran falls under the radar Washington Examiner: Russia-Ukraine peace efforts revived as Trump meets with Zelensky and dispatches Witkoff to Moscow Washington Examiner: Iran will 'fire back' with no 'restraint' if Trump intervenes over protest crackdown: Foreign minister Washington Examiner: Mexico transfers 37 suspected cartel members to US as Trump amps up rhetoric about land strikes Washington Examiner: US launches military operation to transfer ISIS prisoners from Syria to more 'secure' Iraq Washington Examiner: DHS more than doubles cash incentive for illegal immigrants to leave US Washington Examiner: Qatar and Turkey join 'Board of Peace' despite Israeli protest Washington Examiner: Congress strikes rare agreement on Chinese espionage threats to US drivers Washington Examiner: Noem and Lewandowski waged campaign to oust Trump's border leader: Sources Washington Examiner: Newsom claims Trump administration blocked his Davos speaking engagement Washington Examiner: Israeli airstrike kills three journalists in Gaza, including CBS freelancer Washington Examiner: Opinion: Trump's very predictable message at Davos Washington Examiner: Opinion: Erdogan chooses the ayatollahs over the Iranian people AP: Danish leader says kingdom can't negotiate sovereignty after Trump's Greenland about-turn Defense News: Amid Greenland Tensions, US Forces Prep for NATO's 'Cold Response 26′ The Economist: Canadian soldiers are subject to Donald Trump's orders. This is becoming a problem. Wall Street Journal: The US Is Actively Seeking Regime Change in Cuba by the End of the Year New York Times: Despite Trump's Pressure, $40 Billion in Military Money Is Stalling in Taiwan AP: Army orders military police to get ready for a possible Minneapolis deployment, AP source says Bloomberg: US Lawmakers Boost Key Pentagon Test Office Slashed by Hegseth Wall Street Journal: Qatari-Donated Air Force One Is Expected to Begin Flying Trump This Summer The War Zone: Possible Change To F-47 6th Generation Fighter's Designation Raised by Trump Air & Space Forces Magazine: Space Force Activates SOUTHCOM Component DefenseScoop: Army Expects to Complete Fielding of Dark Eagle Hypersonic Missile in 'Early 2026' Air & Space Forces Magazine: Congress Wants More Insight into Golden Dome Budget Defense One: Got an Idea for Reforming Defense Acquisition? The Pentagon's All Ears. Air & Space Forces Magazine: SDA Awards First Contract to Take Old Satellites out of Orbit Air & Space Forces Magazine: Colorado Springs Leaders Oppose Lawsuit to Block SPACECOM Move: 'We're Looking Forward' Military.com: One of the Last Tuskegee Airmen Celebrates 99th Birthday THE CALENDAR: THURSDAY | JANUARY 22 8:45 a.m. 2168 Rayburn — Progressive Policy Institute discussion: "Space policy," with Rep. Grace Meng (D-NY); and Mary Guenther, PPI head of space policy https://www.progressivepolicy.org/event/women-in-policy-coffee-with-rep-grace-meng/ 9 a.m — German Marshall Fund of the U.S. virtual discussion: "Transatlantic Relations in Crisis — European Perspectives," with Marcus Pindur, security correspondent for Deutschlandfunk; Martin Quencez, GMFUS senior fellow and special adviser to the GMFUS president; Georgina Wright, GMFUS senior fellow and special adviser to the GMFUS president; and Ian Lesser, GMFUS fellow https://www.gmfus.org/event/upcoming-event-transatlantic-relations-crisis 9 a.m. — Women's Foreign Policy Group virtual discussion: "Venezuela's Pivotal Moment: Latin American Perspectives on the Path Ahead," with Consuelo Savedra, London-based Chilean journalist; Lucia Dammert, professor, University of Santiago; and Margaret Myers, director, Inter-American Dialogue's Asia and Latin America Program https://wfpg.memberclicks.net/venezuela26#/ 12 p.m. 37th and O Sts. NW — Georgetown University Alwaleed Center for Muslim-Christian Understanding discussion: "Protests in Iran: Is this the End of the Islamic Republic?" with Negar Mortazavi, editor and host of the Iran Podcast; Sina Toossi, author, of Dissident Foreign Policy; Daniel Brumberg, associate professor, Georgetown University Department of Government; and Nader Hashemi, director, GU Alwaleed Center for Muslim-Christian Understanding https://events.georgetown.edu/sfs/event/36851-protests-in-iran 1 p.m. — National Defense Industrial Association virtual discussion: "Beyond the Spark: The Business Case for Robotic Welding in Naval Shipbuilding," with Arun Seraphin, executive director of the Emerging Technologies Institute https://www.ndia.org/events/2026/1/22/beyond-the-spark 3 p.m. — Center for Strategic and International Studies virtual discussion: "The Arsenal of Freedom Tour," with Heather Williams, director, CSIS Project on Nuclear Issues; Tom Karako, director of the CSIS Missile Defense Project; and Kari Bingen, director of the CSIS Aerospace Security Project https://www.csis.org/events/arsenal-freedom-tour 3 p.m. 1400 L St. NW — Atlantic Council discussion: "What to Know About the Oil Sector in Post-Maduro Venezuela," with Luisa Palacios, adjunct senior research scholar at Columbia University's Center on Global Energy Policy and former chairwoman of Citgo Petroleum Corporation; Gustavo Garcia, coordinator of Maria Corina Machado's economic team; Francisco Monaldi, director of Rice University's Latin American Energy Program; and Jeff Barron, senior economic adviser at the American Petroleum Institute https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/event/what-to-know-about-the-oil-sector FRIDAY | JANUARY 23 9 a.m. — Center for the National Interest virtual discussion: "Greenland: U.S. Interests, Options, and Allies," with Alexander Gray, CEO, American Global Strategies; Elizabeth Buchanan and Martha Miller, both senior fellows, Center for the National Interest https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register 2:30 p.m. 1616 Rhode Island Ave. NW— Center for Strategic and International Studies U.S.-Japan Security Seminar," with Kristi Govella, CSIS senior adviser and Japan chair; and Nicholas Szechenyi, vice president, CSIS Geopolitics and Foreign Policy Department https://www.csis.org/events/2026-us-japan-security-seminar | | | | "I think we can spread out to other things as we succeed with Gaza, we're going to be very successful in Gaza. We can do numerous other things. Once this board is completely formed, we can do pretty much whatever we want to do." | | President Donald Trump, at a signing ceremony in Davos, Switzerland, for his "Board of Peace" |
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