The United Kingdom has decided not to participate in Donald Trump’s Peace Board initiative at this time due to the invitation extended to Vladimir Putin.
Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper expressed reservations about the Russian leader’s involvement in President Trump’s efforts to resolve the Israel-Hamas conflict. The establishment of the board is part of Trump’s strategy towards peace, with an official signing ceremony scheduled for today.
Speaking on BBC Breakfast, Ms Cooper stated, “The UK will not be among the signatories today as this initiative involves a legal treaty that raises broader concerns. We harbor doubts about President Putin’s role in a peace initiative given the lack of visible commitment to peace in Ukraine from his side.”
“Our focus should also address this issue truthfully,” she added.
Nevertheless, the UK strongly endorses President Trump’s 20-point peace plan for the Middle East. There are apprehensions regarding the inclusion of Belarus’s authoritarian leader, Alexander Lukashenko, raising concerns about the potential influence of dictators and strongmen on the region’s future.
Trump aims to promote his proposals at the World Economic Forum in Davos. The Kremlin is evaluating the invitation to join the board, while Trump asserted on Wednesday that Putin had accepted the invitation. “He was invited, he’s accepted. Many people have accepted,” Trump confirmed.
Previously, No10 expressed concerns about Putin’s potential involvement. The Russian government stated that it is consulting with its “strategic partners” before making a decision on joining the initiative.
As of now, countries such as the UAE, Bahrain, Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Hungary, Kazakhstan, Morocco, and Vietnam have signed up for the initiative. France announced its decision not to participate, leading Trump to threaten imposing tariffs on French goods.
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