Trump: "Putin Agrees to Join Gaza Board of Peace" (Comprehensive)

Netanyahu Also Joins... About 20 Countries Accept
France and UK Negative... Italy Says "Not Possible for Now... More Time Needed"

Donald Trump, President of the United States, announced that Vladimir Putin, President of Russia, has agreed to join the "Board of Peace," the highest decision-making body for ending the conflict in Gaza and overseeing transitional governance and reconstruction, which Trump chairs.

According to CNN and other outlets on January 21 (local time), President Trump, who is attending the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland, made this announcement during a meeting with reporters after his talks with Mark Rutte, Secretary General of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).

Donald Trump, President of the United States. Photo by AP Yonhap News

When asked why he invited President Putin to the Board of Peace, President Trump said, "Because we want everyone. We want the participation of every country whose people are in control and who hold power. That way, problems won't arise." He added, "There are some controversial figures, but these are people who get things done," stating, "I invited President Putin, and he accepted."

Benjamin Netanyahu, Prime Minister of Israel, also accepted President Trump's invitation to join the Board of Peace. In a statement released by the Israeli Prime Minister's Office, it was announced, "Prime Minister Netanyahu has accepted President Trump's invitation and will become a member of the Board of Peace, which is composed of world leaders."

Among the approximately 60 countries previously invited, the leaders of about 10 nations-including Argentina, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Hungary, Kosovo, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Morocco, Bahrain, and Vietnam-have decided to participate. Including the joint statement released on this day by Saudi Arabia, T?rkiye, Egypt, Jordan, Indonesia, Pakistan, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), which officially accepted the invitation, the number of participating countries now reaches about 20.

On the other hand, Sweden's Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson, while attending the World Economic Forum, stated that France, Denmark, Norway, and Sweden will not accept positions on the Board of Peace. The United Kingdom is also reportedly negative about participation.

However, Italy has postponed its participation for now, while expressing positive interest. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said in a local broadcast interview regarding the Gaza Board of Peace invitation, "It is impossible to sign tomorrow; more time is needed." She added, "Italy can play its own role in establishing a Middle East peace plan and in building solutions and a vision."

South Korea has also been invited to the Board of Peace and is currently reviewing whether to participate.

The Board of Peace, chaired directly by President Trump, will serve as the highest decision-making body governing the Gaza Strip until the end of the conflict and the completion of reconstruction. President Trump is also considering expanding the functions of this organization to address issues in other regions and to establish an international body that could serve as an alternative to the United Nations. He plans to hold a signing ceremony for the Board of Peace charter in Davos on January 22.