Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper has announced that the United Kingdom will not be signing Donald Trump's Board of Peace treaty on Thursday, citing significant concerns about potential Russian involvement and broader legal implications. The decision comes as the US president prepares to highlight his 20-point peace plan for the Middle East at the World Economic Forum in Davos.
Concerns Over Russian Participation
During an interview with BBC Breakfast, Cooper expressed strong reservations about President Vladimir Putin's potential role in the treaty. She emphasised that the UK cannot support a peace initiative that includes Russia while Moscow continues its aggression in Ukraine. "We do also have concerns about President Putin being part of something which is talking about peace, when we have still not seen any signs from Putin that there will be a commitment to peace in Ukraine," Cooper stated.
Broader Legal and Diplomatic Issues
The Foreign Secretary explained that the decision not to sign stems from the treaty's nature as a legal document that raises wider issues beyond immediate diplomatic concerns. "There's a huge amount of work to do we won't be one of the signatories today, because this is about a legal treaty that raises much broader issues," she told the BBC. Despite this, Cooper reaffirmed the UK's strong support for Trump's 20-point peace plan for the Middle East, indicating a nuanced diplomatic position.
Russian Response and International Context
Russian President Vladimir Putin has indicated that Moscow is still consulting with its "strategic partners" before deciding whether to commit to the Board of Peace plan. This ongoing consultation process highlights the complex international dynamics surrounding the treaty. Cooper's comments reflect growing Western unease about engaging with Russia on multilateral peace initiatives while the conflict in Ukraine persists.
The UK's refusal to sign represents a significant diplomatic stance that prioritises consistency in foreign policy regarding Russia. Cooper concluded her remarks by stating, "And to be honest, that is also what we should be talking about," underscoring the importance of addressing Russian aggression in Ukraine as a fundamental peace issue.
