In a move that has sent shockwaves through diplomatic circles, former US President Donald Trump has extended an invitation to Russian leader Vladimir Putin to join a new 'Board of Peace' tasked with overseeing the reconstruction of Gaza and the disarmament of Hamas. This comes despite Putin's ongoing full-scale war in Ukraine, which has raged for four years and resulted in massive casualties and destruction.
A Controversial Peace Committee
Trump formally established the peace committee last week as part of his proposed plan to end the conflict between Israel and Hamas. The board, which Trump will chair himself, is intended to govern Gaza post-conflict. The Kremlin confirmed that President Putin received the offer via US diplomatic channels and is currently "studying all the details of this proposal" before giving an answer.
"We hope for a contact with the American side so that we can clarify all the details," stated Putin's spokesperson, Dmitry Peskov, on Monday. Alongside Russia, invitations were also sent to a host of other nations, including Egypt, India, Turkey, Canada, and the United Kingdom.
The $1 Billion Fee Causing a Transatlantic Rift
Perhaps the most contentious aspect of the proposal is the financial demand accompanying it. After inviting leaders from over 60 countries, the US informed various nations that they must contribute "at least one billion dollars" to secure a permanent spot on the board.
This brazen condition has left European leaders stunned and hesitant to publicly endorse the committee. There are growing fears that Trump's initiative is designed to undermine the established role of the United Nations in such peacekeeping and reconstruction efforts. The resulting erosion of relations between European capitals and the Trump administration has been gleefully welcomed by commentators on Russian state television, with one pundit joyfully declaring, "This is truly tremendous for Russia!"
Mixed Reactions and Limited Acceptances
The response from the international community has been muted and mixed. As of Monday morning, only three countries had formally accepted Trump's invitation: Hungary, Kazakhstan, and Vietnam.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán said, "Hungary's efforts for peace are being recognised. President Trump has invited Hungary to join the work of The Board of Peace as a founding member. We have, of course, accepted this honourable invitation."
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney announced his country would join but refused to pay the $1 billion fee for a permanent seat. Meanwhile, former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, who is named on the board's executive committee alongside Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner, has distanced himself from the membership fee. His spokesperson clarified he is not involved in determining the board's membership and did not endorse the financial demand.
This latest foreign policy gambit from Trump, which follows his renewed pressure on Denmark regarding Greenland, appears to be deliberately creating a division between Western Europe and the United States—a strategic development long desired by Moscow. The White House has not yet provided further comment on the proposals.
