Putin says Russia ready to send $1 billion to Trump's Board of Peace

Russia, which has not formally joined Trump's Board of Peace for Gaza, said it is prepared to contribute $1 billion to support the Palestinian people through the US president's initiative

Russian President Vladimir Putin said Russia is prepared to contribute $1 billion to support the Palestinian people through US President Donald Trump’s newly launched Board of Peace. However, Russia has not yet formally joined the initiative. 

Putin also said the idea of using frozen Russian assets for such funding had earlier been discussed with the United States, news agency Reuters reported on Thursday, citing state-owned Russian news agencies.

 

“The idea to send money from Russian frozen assets has been discussed with the US earlier,” Putin said, according to Ifax.

Putin backs talks on Trump peace plan

Putin also said he had suggested discussions with Palestinian Authority (PA) President Mahmoud Abbas on Trump’s peace initiative. He “proposed to Palestine’s Abbas to discuss Trump’s Board of Peace initiative,” Interfax quoted Putin as saying.

 

Trump launches Board of Peace in Davos

Trump formally launched the Board of Peace on Thursday. While it was initially linked to ending the Gaza war, Trump has since argued that the body should play a wider international role. This prospect has raised concerns in parts of Europe about potential overlap, even conflict, with the United Nations’ goals.

 

“This is a very exciting day, long in the making,” Trump said at the signing ceremony, adding, “We’ll work with many others, including the United Nations.”

 

Trump has said permanent members of the board would be expected to contribute $1 billion each.

Global response to Board of Peace divided

Russia said late on Wednesday that it was studying the proposal after Trump said Moscow would join. France declined the invitation, while Britain said it would not join at this time. China has not yet said whether it will participate in the initiative.

 

According to details shared at the event, around 35 countries, including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Turkey, and Belarus, have committed to the board.

 

A UN spokesperson said engagement with the board would be limited to the framework already endorsed by a UN Security Council resolution tied to Trump’s Gaza plan.

Ukraine talks, frozen assets discussed

The announcement came amid heightened diplomatic activity in Davos. US envoy Steve Witkoff said progress had been made in Ukraine peace talks, Reuters reported.

 

“A lot of progress has been made,” Witkoff said, adding that negotiations were down to “one last issue”.

 

Witkoff was expected to travel to Moscow with US envoy Jared Kushner for talks with Putin on a possible Ukraine settlement, the use of frozen Russian assets for reconstruction, and Trump’s Board of Peace proposal.

Putin distances Russia from Greenland issue

Putin also addressed Trump’s push to acquire Greenland, saying the issue was not Russia’s concern.

 

“Greenland’s ownership is not our concern,” Putin said, adding that the United States and Denmark should resolve the matter between themselves.

 

While Moscow has watched Washington’s growing rift with Europe over Greenland with interest, Putin said Russia was focused on broader security and diplomatic priorities rather than the dispute.