UK Declines Trump's Board of Peace

The United Kingdom has declined to immediately sign up to US President Donald Trump's proposed Board of Peace, citing concerns over its legal scope and the potential involvement of Russian President Vladimir Putin. Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper stated that while the UK supports the broader peace plan for Gaza, the Board of Peace is a legal treaty with wider implications, and Russia's ongoing invasion of Ukraine makes Vladimir Putin's participation problematic. Donald Trump launched the Board of Peace at the World Economic Forum in Davos, with leaders from 19 countries, including Argentina, Hungary, Morocco, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey, signing on. Trump positioned the Board of Peace as a new international organization for resolving conflicts, initially focusing on the Israel-Hamas war but with a leaked charter suggesting a broader mandate that could overlap with the United Nations' functions. Despite Trump's announcement that Vladimir Putin accepted an invitation, Russia has not confirmed its participation, stating it is still studying the proposal. The United States — White House has named initial members of the Board of Peace's Executive Board, including Marco Rubio, Jared Kushner, and Tony Blair. Other countries like France, Sweden, and Denmark have also expressed reservations or ruled out participation, while nations such as Pakistan, Egypt, Qatar, Azerbaijan, UAE, Bahrain, Jordan, Albania, Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, and Vietnam have indicated willingness to join.