Trump’s ‘Board of Peace’ debut at Davos raises eyebrows and big questions

A grand reveal on a global stage

Donald Trump chose one of the world’s most elite platforms to make his latest diplomatic statement. At the World Economic Forum in Davos on Thursday, the US president officially launched what he calls the “Board of Peace”, a new international body with lofty ambitions and an entry price that has already stirred controversy.

Flanked by leaders and senior officials from 19 countries, Trump presided over a signing ceremony that felt part diplomacy, part political theatre. Permanent membership in the board reportedly comes with a hefty $1 billion fee, immediately prompting critics to question whether peace, in this case, comes at a premium.

Who’s in the room and who stayed away

The leaders who joined Trump on stage were largely familiar faces from his global circle. Allies such as Hungary’s Viktor Orbán and Argentina’s Javier Milei signed the founding charter, alongside representatives from countries including Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Turkey, Pakistan, Morocco and the United Arab Emirates.

Notably absent were key Western allies. France and the United Kingdom chose not to take part, with London confirming it would skip the ceremony altogether. Their caution reflected broader European unease about the board’s structure, purpose and political undertones.

Trump, unfazed, joked that the group included “very popular leaders” and some “not so popular”, brushing off criticism in his trademark style.

A peace body with UN-sized ambitions

Originally pitched as a mechanism to oversee peace efforts in Gaza following the Israel-Hamas war, the Board of Peace has already outgrown that narrow brief. Its founding charter outlines a broader role in resolving global conflicts, a scope that has triggered murmurs about it becoming a rival to the United Nations.

Trump pushed back against those fears, insisting the board would work alongside the UN rather than replace it. Still, the invitation list raised eyebrows, particularly the inclusion of Russian President Vladimir Putin, whose invasion of Ukraine continues to dominate global security debates.

Trump claimed Putin had agreed to join, although the Kremlin later said the Russian leader was still considering the offer.

Gaza, Ukraine and a hard-line message

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio framed the board’s immediate priority as ensuring a lasting peace deal in Gaza. Trump, however, delivered a blunt warning of his own, saying Hamas would have to disarm in the next phase of the ceasefire or face severe consequences.

Beyond the Middle East, Ukraine loomed large over the Davos discussions. Trump is scheduled to meet President Volodymyr Zelensky following the board’s launch, with hopes of advancing ceasefire talks in a war now approaching its fourth year.

Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff, added intrigue by saying negotiations with Moscow had narrowed down to a single unresolved issue, one he described as “solvable”, though without offering details.

Trade pressure meets peace talks

European leaders watched developments with visible caution. Trump linked diplomacy to trade once again, announcing he would temporarily waive tariffs set to hit European allies on February 1 after reaching what he called a “framework” agreement with NATO chief Mark Rutte.

Details were scarce, but reports suggest the deal could involve renegotiating a decades-old defence pact linked to Greenland another Trump fixation that has unsettled transatlantic relations.

For European capitals, the relief was muted. The sense in Davos was less celebration, more watchful waiting.

Big promises, bigger scepticism

The launch of the Board of Peace has reignited debate about Trump’s approach to global diplomacy bold, unconventional and unapologetically transactional. Supporters see decisive leadership and fresh thinking. Critics worry about pay-to-play politics and the sidelining of established international norms.

On social media, reactions ranged from satire to genuine concern, with users questioning whether peace initiatives should come with membership fees and controversial guest lists.

For now, Trump has succeeded in one thing: commanding attention. Whether his new board becomes a meaningful force for peace or another flashpoint in global politics remains an open question, one the world will be watching closely.

{Source: The Citizen}

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