At a Glance
- President Donald Trump is advancing his Board of Peace at the World Economic Forum.
- The board has secured signatures from 35 countries but faces hesitation from key allies.
- Russia, Britain, and several EU nations are either declining or remain undecided.
Why it matters: The board could reshape how major conflicts are managed and influence U.S. foreign policy.
President Donald Trump is seeking to spotlight his proposed Board of Peace on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in the Swiss Alps. The initiative, originally tied to a Gaza ceasefire, has broadened into a global peace-making body that some traditional U.S. allies view skeptically.
Trump’s Board of Peace Gains Momentum
Trump expressed confidence in the idea ahead of the forum’s “charter announcement.” He said, “We have a lot of great people that want to join,” speaking with Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi, who is among the countries that have announced a commitment. Trump added, “It’s going to be the most prestigious board ever formed.”
The event will feature remarks from Trump, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, special envoy Steve Witkoff, and Jared Kushner. Other attendees include:
- Prince Faisal bin Farhan, Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister
- President Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan
- Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan of Armenia
- President Santiago Peña of Paraguay
- President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev of Kazakhstan
- President Javier Milei of Argentina
- President Prabowo Subianto of Indonesia
- Heads of several sovereign-wealth funds
A senior administration official, speaking on condition of anonymity, told reporters that 35 countries had agreed to sign on and 60 nations had been invited.
Allies Show Mixed Reactions
Russia’s stance remains uncertain. President Vladimir Putin said his country is still consulting with Moscow’s “strategic partners” before deciding to commit. He will host Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in Moscow for talks.
Britain’s foreign secretary, Yvette Cooper, told the BBC, “We won’t be one of the signatories today,” citing concerns about the board’s mandate and Putin’s involvement.
Other European nations have declined. France, Norway, Sweden, and Slovenia have all said no, with officials warning that the board could undermine the United Nations Charter.
A table below summarizes the positions of key countries:
| Category | Countries |
|---|---|
| Accepted invitations | Argentina, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Belarus, Egypt, Hungary, Indonesia, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Morocco, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, Uzbekistan, Vietnam |
| Declined invitations | France, Norway, Slovenia, Sweden, United Kingdom |
| Non-committal | Cambodia, China, Croatia, Germany, Italy, European Union, Paraguay, Russia, Singapore, Ukraine |
Key Figures and Commitments
The Kremlin said Putin will meet late Thursday with Witkoff and Kushner. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said, “highly values peacemaking efforts by President Donald Trump and his team.”
Putin plans to discuss his proposal to send $1 billion to the Board of Peace for humanitarian purposes during his talks with Abbas. Peskov noted that the use of those assets will require U.S. action to unblock them.
Trump has also hinted that the board could eventually replace some functions of the United Nations. When asked earlier this week, he replied, “it might,” adding that the UN has “never lived up to its potential.”
Challenges Ahead
The Gaza ceasefire remains fragile. More than 2 million Palestinians continue to suffer amid a humanitarian crisis that has lasted over two years. Hamas has refused to disarm, a condition Israel considers non-negotiable.
Trump said, “If they don’t do it, they’ll be blown away. Very quickly.” He also added, “I believe they’re at a point now where they can come together and get a deal done.”
Iran has been a backdrop to Trump’s peace push. He threatened military action earlier this month amid a crackdown that killed thousands of protesters. Trump said, “If we didn’t do that, there was no chance of making peace,” referring to strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities.
In addition, Trump expects to speak with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who arrived in Davos on Thursday. Trump expressed frustration with both Zelenskyy and Putin, saying, “If they don’t, they’re stupid – that goes for both of them.”
Takeaways
- The Board of Peace is gaining traction but faces skepticism from major allies.
- Russia’s potential $1 billion contribution and Putin’s involvement are key points of contention.
- The board’s broader mandate could challenge the United Nations’ role in conflict resolution.
- Ongoing crises in Gaza, Iran, and Ukraine remain hurdles to a stable peace framework.
The board’s future will hinge on whether hesitant nations, especially Russia and the United Kingdom, decide to join and how the U.S. navigates its relationships with these key players.
