Tuesday, January 20, 2026 - Russian President, Vladimir Putin has received an invitation to join United States President Donald Trump’s proposed “Board of Peace,” a body expected to oversee the demilitarization and reconstruction of Gaza, the Kremlin has confirmed.
Putin’s spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, disclosed the development
during a media briefing on Monday, saying the invitation was conveyed through
diplomatic channels.
“President Putin has received an invitation to join this
Board of Peace,” Peskov said, adding that the Kremlin is reviewing the proposal
and awaiting further details from the US side. The White House has yet to
comment on the matter as at press time.
Later on Monday, Belarus’ Foreign Ministry announced that
President Alexander Lukashenko had also received an invitation to join the
board. In a statement, the ministry said Minsk welcomed the gesture and
appreciated being recognised as a country “ready to take on the noble
responsibility of building a lasting peace and investing in a secure and
prosperous future for generations to come.”
Lukashenko is a close ally of Putin and has long faced
international criticism over governance and human rights issues.
The Board of Peace, to be chaired by Trump, is described as a
central pillar of a United Nations-backed American initiative aimed at
rebuilding Gaza after two years of devastating conflict between Israel and the
Hamas militant group.
However, the proposal has already drawn criticism. Ireland’s
Minister for Foreign Affairs, Helen McEntee, warned that the body could
overstep its mandate, stressing that the United Nations remains the primary
institution responsible for maintaining international peace and security.
She said the legitimacy of international law and multilateral
cooperation is more important than ever, despite acknowledged shortcomings
within the UN system.
Trump has described the proposed body as the “greatest and
most prestigious board ever assembled.” According to information released by
various governments, the committee is expected to include former British Prime
Minister Tony Blair, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and US Secretary of
State Marco Rubio.
Israel has also been invited to join as a founding member,
with an invitation extended to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu or a
designated representative. Other leaders reportedly invited include the
presidents of Turkey, Argentina and Egypt, as well as the prime ministers of
Hungary and India.
Details of the board’s composition have largely emerged
through announcements by individual countries, rather than official statements
from Washington
According to a US official, members who contribute $1 billion
will receive a permanent seat on the board, while those who do not will serve a
three-year term. All funds raised are expected to be directed toward Gaza’s
reconstruction, with assurances that the board will avoid excessive
administrative costs.
Putin’s potential participation would mark a significant
re-entry into high-level global engagement for the Russian leader, who has
largely been sidelined from international cooperation since Russia’s invasion
of Ukraine in 2022.
Russia’s involvement in the Israel-Hamas conflict has so far
been limited, although Moscow has offered to mediate, citing its ties with both
sides. Unlike many Western countries, Russia does not officially classify Hamas
as a terrorist organization, and senior Hamas officials visited Moscow shortly
after the October 7 attacks on Israel.
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