1941 – The United States and Denmark sign an agreement that lets the U.S. operate militarily in Greenland while confirming Denmark’s sovereign authority over the territory, establishing the legal basis for later U.S. basing rights. [2]

Sept 11, 2001 – NATO invokes Article 5 for the first time, invoking collective defence to protect the United States after the attacks and launching the alliance’s long‑term involvement in Afghanistan, a precedent Trump later dismisses. [2]

2023 – The United States and Denmark conclude a defense pact that permits U.S. forces to use Danish airbases in Greenland, embedding a permanent U.S. military footprint on the island. [5]

June 2025 – Denmark’s parliament passes a bill authorising U.S. bases on Danish territory, including Greenland, further institutionalising the bilateral security arrangement. [5]

Jan 7, 2026 – President Trump posts on Truth Social that the U.S. “will always be there for NATO” but doubts allies would reciprocate, claiming he raised their defence spending from 2 % to 5 % of GDP and that without him Russia would have taken all of Ukraine. [5]

Jan 7, 2026 – Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen warns that a U.S. attack on Greenland could fracture NATO, stating “if the U.S. decided to attack a fellow NATO country, everything stops.” [5]

Jan 7, 2026 – The White House indicates that military action to seize Greenland remains a “potential option,” heightening alarm among NATO members about possible coercive use of force. [5]

Jan 7, 2026 – Denmark, Greenland, and a coalition of European allies (France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain, the UK) issue a joint statement rejecting any U.S. takeover of Greenland and demand diplomatic talks with Secretary of State Marco Rubio. [5]

Jan 7, 2026 – Trump links his record to deterring Russia, citing recent Russian drone strikes in Romania and incidents in Poland as evidence that U.S. strength under his leadership protects NATO borders. [5]

Jan 21, 2026 – A fact‑check published by CNN debunks Trump’s claims that NATO contributed nothing after 9/11, that the U.S. funds 100 % of NATO spending, and that Greenland is “just ice,” noting the 1941 sovereignty agreement, U.S. share of the budget (~63 % in 2024), and Greenland’s 56,000 residents. [2]

Jan 21‑23, 2026 (Davos) – At the World Economic Forum, Trump downplays NATO’s collective‑defence obligations, threatens military action against Denmark over Greenland, and launches a “Board of Peace” while inviting Russian President Vladimir Putin to join, prompting sharp criticism from traditional allies. [4]

Jan 21‑23, 2026 (Davos) – Trump renews his push for Greenland sovereignty, insisting the U.S. acquisition is a “fait accompli” despite European officials warning that such a move would breach NATO cohesion. [4]

Jan 23, 2026 – In a Fox Business interview, Trump claims NATO troops “stayed a little back” during the Afghanistan invasion and questions whether European allies would defend the United States if needed, reviving long‑standing burden‑sharing disputes. [1][3]

Jan 23, 2026 – White House spokeswoman Taylor Rogers defends Trump’s NATO view, asserting the United States “has done more for NATO than any other country combined.” [1]

Jan 23, 2026 – Trump and NATO Secretary‑General Mark Rutte outline a non‑binding framework for future U.S. access to Greenland, while confirming that NATO exercises will continue on the island. [1]

Jan 23, 2026 – The White House posts an AI‑generated image of Trump walking toward a Greenland flag while holding a penguin with an American flag, prompting factual corrections that penguins do not live in the Arctic. [1]

Jan 23, 2026 – Former British Army officer Prince Harry defends the sacrifices of NATO soldiers, noting the 457 British personnel killed in Afghanistan and urging truthful remembrance. [1]

Jan 23, 2026 – Negotiators from the United States, Ukraine and Russia conclude the first known trilateral Ukraine talks in Abu Dhabi, wrap up the day’s session, and agree to reconvene the following day, signaling a fragile diplomatic momentum. [1]

Jan 23, 2026 – NATO Secretary‑General Mark Rutte rebukes Trump’s doubts, stressing that European allies would come to the U.S. rescue and highlighting heavy Dutch, Danish and other NATO casualties in Afghanistan. [3]

Jan 23, 2026 – Trump backs off the most extreme language on seizing Greenland and cancels planned tariffs after meeting with Rutte, describing a future “Arctic framework” that grants the U.S. “total access” without ownership. [3]

Jan 24, 2026 – British veterans, political leaders and Prime Minister Rishi Sunak denounce Trump’s Afghanistan comment as “insulting and frankly appalling,” citing the 457 British soldiers killed alongside U.S. forces. [4]

Jan 24, 2026 – NATO officials discuss granting the United States sovereign rights over land for military bases, akin to the U.K.’s arrangement with Cyprus, raising the prospect of U.S. bases operating outside NATO control. [4]

Jan 24, 2026 – Analysts Andrew Fox and Mark Shanahan warn that Trump’s rhetoric “permanently and irrevocably damages” NATO trust and forces consideration of a post‑NATO world. [4]

Jan 24, 2026 – The White House asserts that the United States is the only NATO partner capable of protecting Greenland and claims Trump’s actions advance NATO interests, countering allied cautions. [4]

Jan 24, 2026 (Saturday) – The trilateral Ukraine talks reconvene in Abu Dhabi, continuing negotiations between the United States, Ukraine and Russia amid ongoing conflict. [1]