Russian President Vladimir Putin has been invited to join U.S. President Donald Trump’s newly announced “board of peace,” a body reportedly designed to oversee conflict resolution and reconstruction in Gaza. The announcement came as Russia’s nearly four-year war in Ukraine continues without a breakthrough peace agreement.
The White House is reportedly reaching out to global figures to participate in the board, which Trump will chair. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed that Putin received the invitation, adding that Moscow is reviewing the proposal’s details. Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has also been invited.
Russia has historically maintained balanced ties in the Middle East, including with Israel and the Palestinians. However, following the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 and Israel’s ongoing conflict in Gaza, Moscow has increasingly aligned with countries opposing Israel, such as Iran, while also strengthening relations with Gulf Arab states.
Putin has previously praised Trump’s conflict resolution efforts, calling them “historic” if successful. Speaking on Gaza, he described the humanitarian situation as catastrophic and highlighted Russia’s support for the Palestinian people.
The board, expected to implement Trump’s 20-point plan for Gaza, has faced criticism. Analysts warn that it places Trump, U.S. officials like Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and polarising figures such as former British Prime Minister Tony Blair in leading roles, while Palestinians are relegated to municipal-level responsibilities, raising concerns over the marginalisation of Palestinian political authority and the potential for a commercialised, “neocolonial” governance model.
