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Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper has announced that the United Kingdom will not immediately commit to signing the United States’ newly proposed Board of Peace, largely due to concerns involving Russian President Vladimir Putin’s potential participation. Speaking to the BBC from the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, Cooper confirmed that while the UK had been invited to join the board, it would not be among the initial signatories at the launch ceremony. The board is presented by the US administration as an international platform aimed at resolving conflicts, with President Donald Trump assigned sweeping powers as its chairman.
The initiative’s founding charter notably does not address the Palestinian territories directly, prompting criticism that the board might seek to supplant some functions of the United Nations. Among the UN Security Council’s five permanent members — China, France, Russia, the UK, and the US — none except the US has committed to participating in the new body. Historically, the UN Security Council has played a central role in global diplomacy and conflict resolution since World War II. At the Davos event, Trump emphasized that the Board of Peace is not meant to replace the UN but rather to complement it, aiming for a lasting peace in the Middle East and describing the board as potentially “one of the most consequential bodies ever created.” Trump also asserted that once fully established, the board would grant broad authority to act, albeit in coordination with the United Nations.
Joining Trump at the signing were representatives from 19 countries, including Argentina, Hungary, Morocco, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey. Trump stated that Putin had accepted an invitation to participate, but the Russian president has yet to confirm this and indicated that Russia was still evaluating the proposal. According to Russian state news agency TASS, Putin plans to discuss the possibility of using Russia’s frozen assets in the US as a contribution to the board in an upcoming meeting with US officials. Cooper reiterated her support for Trump’s 20-point plan to end the Gaza war and expressed the UK’s willingness to engage in subsequent phases of the peace process. However, she highlighted the broader legal implications of the treaty and expressed serious reservations about Putin joining “something that’s talking about peace” when Russia shows no current commitment to cease hostilities in Ukraine.
Amid ongoing tensions between the US and UK — intensified by Trump’s previous threats of tariffs on European nations over Greenland — Cooper welcomed recent moves by the US to back away from those threats and praised constructive proposals by the UK and its European allies to enhance Arctic security. Nevertheless, concerns remain within the UK cabinet, as many ministers have voiced unease over Russia’s involvement in the peace initiative, given its ongoing military actions in Ukraine. The UK, a steadfast supporter of Ukraine, along with France, has signed a declaration indicating readiness to deploy troops to Ukraine if a peace settlement is reached. Discussions to end the conflict continue, with Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky scheduled to meet in Davos. Trump reiterated his belief that Putin and Zelensky are close to reaching a deal.
Although initially unveiled as a mechanism focused on rebuilding Gaza and shaping its future governance, the leaked founding charter of the Board of Peace reveals a broader mission. It envisages the board as an international organization tasked with promoting stability, restoring lawful governance, and securing lasting peace in conflict-affected areas. The charter outlines that the board will officially come into effect once at least three countries agree to be bound by it, with membership terms of three years subject to renewal and permanent seats available to major financial contributors. Under the charter, Trump would serve both as chairman and as the US representative, holding significant authority including appointing executive board members and establishing subsidiary bodies. The Executive Board’s founding members, revealed last week, include US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff, Jared Kushner, and former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair. Since then, additional countries such as Pakistan, Egypt, and Qatar have expressed intent to join, while the Vatican has confirmed that the Pope has received an invitation
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