In a surprising move, the Kremlin has revealed that Russian President Vladimir Putin has been invited to join Donald Trump’s newly proposed “Board of Peace.” The board, which would see world leaders contribute $1 billion each for permanent membership, is intended to address the ongoing conflict in Gaza and potentially expand to tackle other global disputes.
According to Dmitry Peskov, Putin’s long-serving press secretary, the invitation was received through diplomatic channels, and the Kremlin is currently “studying all the details of this proposal, including hoping to contact the American side to clarify all the nuances.”
The inclusion of Putin on the board would be a controversial decision, as it could undermine international efforts to sanction Russia over its illegal invasion of Ukraine. However, the Kremlin’s cautious response suggests they are carefully considering the implications before committing to the plan.
Trump’s ambitious peace initiative, unveiled last week, has already garnered interest from several world leaders. The German government has indicated its willingness to participate, while the UK has stated it is in talks with allies about the terms of joining the board.
The proposal, which would see the US president serve as the board’s chair for life, has raised concerns among diplomats who fear it could potentially undermine the work of the United Nations. However, a spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, has stated that member states are “free to associate in different groups,” and that the UN will continue with its mandated work.
The draft charter for the “Board of Peace” suggests that the board would initially focus on the Gaza conflict before expanding its scope to address other global crises. The $1 billion fee for permanent membership is intended to “demonstrate a deep commitment to peace, security and prosperity,” according to the White House.
As the Kremlin carefully considers its response to the invitation, the international community will be watching closely to see how this ambitious and potentially controversial peace initiative unfolds.
