Europeans to Confront Trump – But After Davos

The presidents of Poland, Serbia and Ukraine are among the heads of state heading to Davos this week for the World Economic Forum’s annual meeting – the only Central and Eastern European leaders so far confirmed on the guest list. Their chief objective is securing face time with the United States (US) President Donald Trump, who is due to speak on Wednesday and is widely expected to double down on his push to bring Greenland under American control.

While fiery condemnations have poured in from Western European capitals over Trump’s tariff threats and Greenland ambitions, much of Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) has remained conspicuously quiet. Many tirelessly advocate for a continued US backing for Ukraine – which has so far helped stave off their own direct Russian confrontation. Rest assured this group will persist, even as transatlantic ties chill.

A handful of voices, typically from opposition circles, have floated more hawkish ideas, including the prospect of CEE troops flying to Greenland too (would they also use Poland’s Enter Air private charter flight?). Yet most in the region yearn for the reassuring certainties of the old transatlantic bargain, now replaced by icy drafts from both sides of the Atlantic.

Will the region’s leaders rise to the occasion? Just ten days ago, EU Defence Commissioner Andrius Kubilius told a security conference in Sweden that Europe must pursue a ‘big bang’ in defence, including a standing European military force – not the fragmented 27-nation setup of today. Estonia’s Kaja Kallas, meanwhile, warned on X that the current transatlantic friction leaves both the EU and US vulnerable to exploitation by China and Russia.