Russian President Vladimir Putin will join the peace commission proposed by President Donald Trump. Trump confronted international controversy head-on and formally recognized Putin as a partner to resolve the crisis.
On the 21st, local time, at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, President Trump, after finishing talks with NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, met with reporters and said, "I invited President Putin to the commission," adding, "He accepted it."
Asked why he invited Putin, Trump said, "If we don't want to cause problems, we need participation from all countries that have power." He then praised Putin, saying, "Even if someone is controversial, we need people who can actually get things done."
However, Russia's announcement that day showed a subtle difference from Trump's remarks. In a virtual government meeting held the same day, Putin said he was reviewing the U.S. proposal. He said, "We will decide whether to participate after reviewing all documents and consulting with strategic partners."
Kremlin Spokesperson Dmitry Peskov also added, "We confirm that we were invited, but a final decision will be made after careful review." Unlike Trump, who treated Putin's participation as a fait accompli, Russia appeared to be calibrating its diplomatic stance.
The peace commission is a body established by Trump, who serves as chair, with the goal of ending the war in Gaza and rebuilding. So far, major Islamic countries including Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Egypt, Jordan, Indonesia, Pakistan, and Qatar have expressed their intention to participate.
Including Israel, which had previously confirmed participation, more than 20 countries so far have decided to join the commission. While countries that had tense relations with the United States, such as Belarus, chose to participate, some traditional allies remain cautious.
The commission is reviewing ways to elevate its status from its initial aim of "ending the war in Gaza and rebuilding" to an international organization dealing with global conflicts. It is being interpreted as a move to effectively replace the role of the United Nations. However, the fact that the commission's charter does not even specifically mention Palestinian territory is cited as a limitation of the organization. Islamic countries, including Saudi Arabia, are raising their voices that a permanent cease-fire in Gaza and support for reconstruction should be the commission's core goals.
Experts are concerned about the impact this body could have on the existing international order. Reuters, citing diplomats, reported that "the peace commission's activities could undermine the international efforts the United Nations has carried out." AFP, citing remarks by expert Parag Khanna, suggested geopolitical uncertainty, noting that U.S. pressure will not work on every country.
Trump is set to hold a signing ceremony for the peace commission charter in Davos on the 22nd. Experts called it an unprecedented experiment in which Russia and Middle Eastern countries gather in one place under U.S. leadership.