In a move reflecting the UK’s measured stance, Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper has announced that the country will not be signing up to US President Donald Trump’s proposed “Board of Peace” at the World Economic Forum in Davos. Cooper’s remarks come amid concerns over the potential involvement of Russian President Vladimir Putin in the initiative.
Speaking to the BBC’s Breakfast programme from Davos, Cooper stated that the UK had received an invitation to join the board, and strongly supported Trump’s 20-point plan to end the war in Gaza. However, she emphasised that the UK “won’t be one of the signatories today” due to the broader legal implications of the treaty.
“This is a legal treaty that raises much broader issues,” Cooper said, adding that the UK has “concerns about President Putin being part of something that’s talking about peace when we’ve still not seen any signs from Putin that there will be commitment to peace in Ukraine.”
The foreign secretary echoed the sentiments of other UK cabinet ministers who have expressed unease over Putin’s potential role on the board, given Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine. Cooper stressed that the “pressure needs to be” on Putin to demonstrate a genuine commitment to peace in the region.
Despite the UK’s reservations, several other countries, including Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Egypt, and Israel, have indicated their intention to become members of the board. At Davos, President Trump stated that Putin had accepted an invitation to join the initiative, though the Russian leader has not yet confirmed this.
As talks to end the war in Ukraine continue, Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy are scheduled to meet in Davos on Thursday. The US president has repeatedly expressed his belief that Putin and Zelenskyy are close to a deal.
The UK’s decision to hold off on joining the “Board of Peace” reflects its cautious approach, prioritising concerns over Putin’s involvement and the broader legal implications of the treaty. The government has indicated that it will continue to engage in international discussions, including with its allies, as the situation evolves.
