From a Ceasefire Proposal to a Global Peace Board
Russia says President Vladimir Putin has been invited to join a new Gaza “board of peace” proposed by U.S. President Donald Trump.
The Kremlin stated the invitation came from Washington and is now under review.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told reporters that Moscow is seeking to “clarify all the nuances” before deciding whether Putin would take part.
The board was announced last week as part of Trump’s Gaza ceasefire proposal. It is meant to oversee a truce in the war and guide Gaza toward long-term stability.
Washington is yet to publicly confirm that Putin was invited.
Who Is on the Board and What It Is Meant to Do
Trump named himself chair of the board. The founding group also includes:
- Former UK prime minister Tony Blair,
- U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio,
- Trump adviser Steve Witkoff,
- Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner,
- World Bank president Ajay Banga.
The board’s charter claim it will supervise a ceasefire in Gaza, oversee a committee of Palestinian experts, and help guide daily governance in the territory.
The plan was broadly endorsed in a United Nations Security Council resolution last November, though details remain unclear.
Each leader would serve a three-year term unless their government pays a $1 billion fee to become a permanent member.
The destination and use of that money is yet to be explained.
Why the Putin Invitation Raises Questions
The reported invitation comes as Putin continues Russia’s war in Ukraine.
He rejected ceasefire proposals and faces international criticism over civilian deaths and alleged war crimes.
Putin’s possible role in a global peace body has renewed questions about Trump’s approach to Russia and Ukraine.
Critics say it reinforces concerns that Trump favors the Kremlin in foreign policy decisions.
At the same time, Russia said Putin’s envoy Kirill Dmitriev will attend the World Economic Forum in Davos and meet U.S. officials.
It is not clear whether Gaza will be discussed.
How Other Countries Are Responding
Several leaders have reportedly received invitations. Belarus said its president Alexander Lukashenko accepted. Hungary and Vietnam also confirmed participation.
France said it would decline, citing concern that the board goes beyond Gaza and could weaken existing international systems.
Canada said it would not pay for permanent membership and is reviewing its position.
The UK’s Keir Starmer was approached but did not receive a formal offer.
Why This Matters Now
The Gaza ceasefire the board was meant to oversee remains uncertain.
Israeli strikes continue, and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has rejected foreign troop involvement from key regional backers.
With fighting ongoing, the board exists mostly on paper. Its growing list of invitees, including Putin, has shifted attention from Gaza itself to questions about power, influence, and global leadership.
What This Signals Going Forward
Trump’s peace board has quickly become more than a Gaza proposal.
It is now a test of how global leaders respond to an unconventional approach to diplomacy and whether a ceasefire plan can move forward while war on the ground continues.
