UK, Closest US Ally, Rejects Peace Committee Participation... Europe Halts CMCC Personnel Dispatch

Cracks Emerging in the Atlantic Alliance
Growing Unease Over Trump's Foreign Policy

Yonhap News Agency

The United Kingdom, the United States' closest ally, has decided to decline participation in the "Peace Committee" proposed by U.S. President Donald Trump. European countries also plan to suspend the dispatch of personnel to the Civil-Military Coordination Center (CMCC), which was established for the reconstruction of peace in the Gaza Strip.

On January 20 (local time), the Financial Times (FT), citing British government officials, reported that the UK will not join the Peace Committee, in which Russian President Vladimir Putin is participating and which is demanding a substantial membership fee from permanent member states.

One official stated, "It is unacceptable to pay $1 billion (approximately 1.47 trillion won) of taxpayers' money to sit on the Peace Committee board with President Putin. I don't think people would agree to this."

On January 15, President Trump announced the formation of the Peace Committee as the supreme decision-making body to govern the region until the end of hostilities and the completion of reconstruction in the Gaza Strip. Membership in the Peace Committee is by invitation from President Trump, with a maximum term of three years for member states. Those who pay $1 billion in the first year of its establishment are granted permanent membership.

The Trump administration is reported to have sent invitations to over 60 countries. Some analysts suggest that President Trump envisions the Peace Committee as a national body to replace the United Nations. However, among the countries invited by the Trump administration are Russia and Belarus, which are currently at odds with the Western world, leading to hesitation about participation.

Meanwhile, Reuters reported that some European countries are reconsidering their personnel dispatch to the CMCC. The CMCC was established under U.S. leadership in October last year for the reconstruction of peace in the Gaza Strip.

Reuters, citing diplomats, reported that some European personnel dispatched to the CMCC have not returned even after the New Year holidays. Some analysts interpret this as a sign of growing unease among U.S. allies, as President Trump pursues a foreign policy on Greenland, the Gaza Strip, and Venezuela that is entirely different from previous approaches.