Before departing for Switzerland to attend the World Economic Forum in Davos, US President Donald Trump confirmed his invitation to Russian President Vladimir Putin to join the Peace Council. Originally, this body was established to help stabilize the situation in the Middle East, particularly in Gaza, but the organizers now intend to address other global conflicts as well.
Trump extended invitations not only to Putin but also to Alexander Lukashenko, considered a close ally of Moscow, despite Lukashenko having no significant involvement in Middle East stabilization efforts. Portnikov notes that this move comes amid fresh Russian attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, highlighting, in his view, Trump’s indifference to the distinction between aggressor and victim in international conflicts.
According to Portnikov, Trump appears to be positioning himself as a “president of the planet,” inviting and in effect pressuring leaders to join the Peace Council. He threatened to impose tariffs on French goods should President Macron refuse to participate, raising questions about the Council's legitimacy and effectiveness after Trump's term ends.
Putin has yet to respond, with the Kremlin stating it is considering the invitation. There are concerns about the future of the Council and about the participation of controversial leaders such as those from Turkey and Qatar, which already prompted objections from Israel. Participation may become mandatory under threat of economic sanctions.
Portnikov is particularly concerned by the prospect of Putin, heavily involved in the war against Ukraine, joining a council meant to promote peace. He argues that this reflects complex moral issues for those building new global structures under the leadership of major democratic countries.
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