In a significant geopolitical development, former US President Donald Trump announced at the World Economic Forum in Davos that Russian President Vladimir Putin has agreed to join his proposed ‘Board of Peace’ initiative. This declaration comes despite the Kremlin maintaining that it is still evaluating the invitation.
Trump confidently stated to international media, ‘He was invited, he’s accepted. Many people have accepted,’ referencing his vaguely defined consortium of world leaders. The initiative, which has drawn skepticism from traditional U.S. allies, reportedly requires a $1 billion contribution for a permanent seat on the board.
Contradicting Trump’s straightforward assertion, President Putin provided a more measured response during a televised government meeting in Moscow. He revealed that he has instructed the Russian Foreign Ministry to thoroughly analyze the proposal and consult with strategic partners before formulating an official reply.
In a strategically calculated move, Putin suggested that Russia could fund the billion-dollar membership fee using assets previously frozen by the previous American administration. Furthermore, he proposed these same frozen assets could be allocated to reconstruct territories damaged by hostilities, contingent upon the successful conclusion of a peace agreement between Russia and Ukraine.
The ‘Board of Peace,’ initially conceptualized to oversee Gaza’s reconstruction, appears to have expanded its purported scope according to its charter. The initiative now seemingly positions itself as a potential rival to established international organizations like the United Nations, drawing criticism from several European nations including France.