President Donald Trump has announced that he has invited Russian President Vladimir Putin to join a U.S.-proposed “Board of Peace” for Gaza, part of his 20-point plan aimed at ending the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas. The board is expected to temporarily oversee the administration and reconstruction of Gaza, though details about its structure and powers remain limited.
The Kremlin confirmed on Monday that Putin had received the invitation, but neither Moscow nor Washington has disclosed whether the Russian president has accepted the offer. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told reporters that Moscow is “currently studying all details of this offer” and hopes to communicate further with the United States to clarify its scope.
Speaking to reporters in Florida, Trump confirmed the invitation: “Yes […] these are world leaders. The answer is yes, I did,” adding that participation is voluntary. The White House has indicated that Trump will serve as chairman of the board, which will include world leaders, though specific roles and responsibilities have yet to be defined.
The invitation to Putin comes amid ongoing tensions in Eastern Europe, where Russia has yet to accept a U.S.-backed peace deal designed to end its four-year military campaign in Ukraine. Analysts suggest that Trump may be using the invitation as part of broader diplomatic negotiations, highlighting his preference for including influential global leaders in high-profile peace initiatives.
Trump’s approach has sparked mixed reactions internationally. French President Emmanuel Macron declined the invitation, prompting Trump to threaten 200% tariffs on French wine and champagne imports. A source close to Macron told the BBC that using trade threats to influence foreign policy “is unacceptable and ineffective.” Macron also reportedly proposed hosting a G7 meeting in Paris, including the Ukrainians, Danes, Syrians, and Russians, as a diplomatic alternative.
Other world leaders have responded more positively. Morocco’s King Mohammed VI and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, a close Trump ally, have accepted roles on the board. Media reports indicate that Trump has requested participating countries contribute $1 billion (£745 million) to join the initiative, signaling the administration’s ambition for the project to have significant financial backing.
In addition to the Board of Peace, the White House has unveiled two complementary senior boards. The Gaza Executive Board will focus on on-the-ground operations in Gaza, while the Founding Executive Board is tasked with high-level diplomacy and investment coordination. Notable figures reportedly included on the founding board are former UK Prime Minister Sir Tony Blair, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Trump’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner. As of now, no Palestinian representatives have been named to either board.
Israel has expressed strong objections to the initiative, emphasizing that it was not consulted on the formation or responsibilities of the proposed boards. Reports suggest Trump intends to formally ratify the boards during a special ceremony at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, later this week.
The plan has generated widespread discussion in diplomatic circles, with analysts questioning the feasibility of a multilateral board exercising authority in Gaza without formal agreement from Palestinian authorities and Israel. Observers also note that including Putin, while symbolically significant, could complicate the initiative given ongoing tensions between Moscow, Washington, and Kyiv.
Despite the controversy, the announcement demonstrates Trump’s continued interest in playing a central role in international peace initiatives, leveraging his influence with global leaders to shape conflict resolution strategies. The coming week, particularly the Davos event, is expected to provide further clarity on which leaders will formally join the boards and the extent of their authority.
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