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The Kremlin has confirmed that Russian President Vladimir Putin has received an invitation to join United States President Donald Trump’s proposed “Board of Peace,” a body expected to oversee the demilitarization and reconstruction of Gaza.
Putin’s spokesperson, Dmitry Peskov, disclosed this during a media briefing on Monday, stating that the invitation was delivered through diplomatic channels. He added that the Kremlin is currently reviewing the proposal and awaiting further details from the United States. The White House has not issued an official response on the matter as of press time.
Later the same day, Belarus’ Foreign Ministry announced that President Alexander Lukashenko had also been invited to join the proposed board. In a statement, the ministry said Belarus welcomed the invitation and appreciated being recognised as a country willing to contribute to long-term peace and stability in the region.
Lukashenko, a close ally of Putin, has faced longstanding international criticism over governance and human rights concerns.
The proposed Board of Peace, which Trump is expected to chair, is described as a key element of a United Nations-backed American initiative aimed at rebuilding Gaza following nearly two years of intense conflict between Israel and the Hamas militant group.
Despite its stated objectives, the proposal has attracted criticism. Ireland’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Helen McEntee, cautioned that the board could exceed its mandate, emphasizing that the United Nations remains the primary body responsible for maintaining international peace and security. She stressed that respect for international law and multilateral cooperation remains crucial, even with acknowledged challenges within the UN system.
Trump has described the proposed body as the “greatest and most prestigious board ever assembled.” Reports indicate that potential members include former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
Israel has also been invited to join as a founding member, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu or a designated representative expected to participate. Other reported invitees include the presidents of Turkey, Argentina, and Egypt, as well as the prime ministers of Hungary and India.
Details about the board’s composition have largely emerged through announcements by individual governments rather than formal statements from Washington.
According to a US official, countries that contribute $1 billion toward Gaza’s reconstruction would secure a permanent seat on the board, while non-contributing members would serve a three-year term. All funds raised are expected to be directed toward rebuilding efforts, with assurances that administrative costs will be kept to a minimum.
If Putin accepts the invitation, it would mark a notable return to high-level international engagement for the Russian leader, who has been largely excluded from global cooperation since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
Russia’s involvement in the Israel-Hamas conflict has so far been limited, though Moscow has offered to mediate, citing its relationships with both sides. Unlike many Western nations, Russia does not officially designate Hamas as a terrorist organization, and senior Hamas officials visited Moscow shortly after the October 7 attacks on Israel.
The Kremlin has also hosted talks between rival Palestinian factions, and reports suggest that Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas is expected to visit Russia in the coming days.
