Trump Claims Russia Has Agreed to Join Gaza Peace Board, Putin Says Decision Still Pending

Russian President Vladimir putin on Tuesday struck a cautious note on joining the US-led Board of Peace for post-war governance and reconstruction of Gaza, saying Russia is still studying the proposal and consulting its strategic partners.

Putin’s remarks came shortly after US President Donald Trump announced at the World Economic Forum in Davos that Moscow had already agreed to participate in the initiative.

Speaking during a televised meeting of Russia’s National Security Council, Putin said, “With regard to our participation in the ‘Peace Board,’ the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been instructed to study the documents we received, consult with our strategic partners on this matter, and only then will we be able to respond to the invitation extended to us.”

Emphasising Russia’s broader diplomatic position, Putin added that Moscow has consistently supported initiatives aimed at strengthening international stability and acknowledged what he described as the current US administration’s efforts to resolve the conflict in Ukraine.

Despite withholding formal approval, Putin announced that Russia could contribute USD 1 billion towards permanent membership of the Board — a contribution he said could be sourced from Russian assets frozen by the United States under the previous Joe Biden administration.

“Even before we decide on the issue of participation in the composition and work of the Peace Board, taking into account Russia’s special relationship with the Palestinian people, we could, I think, give USD 1 billion from Russian assets frozen under the previous US administration,” Putin said.

He also stressed that any governance or reconstruction mechanism for Gaza must account for the “fundamental needs and wishes of the Palestinian people” and contribute to a long-term resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in line with relevant United Nations resolutions.

Putin’s comments came hours after Trump told reporters in Davos that the Russian leader had already accepted the invitation to join the Board.

“He received an invitation. He’s accepted,” Trump said after meeting NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte at the World Economic Forum.

The Board of Peace was initially envisioned as a small group of international leaders tasked with overseeing governance in post-war Gaza. However, the initiative has since expanded into a broader platform aimed at addressing multiple international disputes, prompting comparisons with the United Nations Security Council.

According to the White House, around 50 invitations have been issued so far, with at least 35 world leaders confirming their participation.

Middle Eastern nations including Israel, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Jordan, Qatar, and Egypt have agreed to join. NATO allies Turkey and Hungary, along with Morocco, Pakistan, Indonesia, Kosovo, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Paraguay, and Vietnam, have also confirmed participation.

Belarus, Azerbaijan, and Armenia have likewise accepted the invitation.

India, meanwhile, has received an invitation from the US President but has not yet taken a final decision on whether to join the Board of Peace.