Trump says Putin accepted Board of Peace invite while Russia mulls paying for permanent seat with frozen assets

U.S. President Donald Trump has claimed that Russian President Vladimir Putin has accepted an invitation to join his newly proposed Board of Peace for Gaza.

“He was invited. He’s accepted,” Trump told reporters at the World Economic Forum in Davos, referring to Putin.

However, Putin did not publicly confirm the acceptance during a meeting of Russia’s Security Council later the same day. Instead, he said Moscow would “consult with our strategic partners” as the Russian Foreign Ministry reviews the details of the invitation, casting some uncertainty over Trump’s claim.

The Board of Peace is part of Trump’s broader 20-point plan to end the Israel–Hamas war and would be tasked with overseeing Gaza’s political transition and reconstruction. Dozens of countries from Europe, the Americas, the Middle East, and other regions have reportedly been invited to participate.

The proposal has generated mixed reactions internationally. Critics argue that the Trump-chaired body, which would require a reported $1 billion payment to secure a permanent seat, could function as a parallel alternative to the United Nations, an institution Trump has frequently criticised.

On Jan. 21, Putin suggested that Russia could use frozen assets to cover the cost of a permanent seat. He said Moscow might direct $1 billion from Russian funds frozen by the United States under the previous administration, part of an estimated $5 billion blocked following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

Trump has not commented publicly on Putin’s apparent offer.

According to U.S. officials, the board would temporarily assume responsibility for Gaza’s administration and reconstruction. Discussions have also reportedly taken place about expanding the body’s mandate to other conflict zones, including Ukraine.

Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelensky said on Jan. 20 that Kyiv is reviewing an invitation to join the Board of Peace but described it as “difficult to imagine” participating alongside Russia and Belarus.

“Russia is our enemy, Belarus is their ally,” Zelensky told journalists.

Although Trump had planned to meet Zelensky in Davos, the Ukrainian president ultimately cancelled his trip, choosing to remain in Ukraine amid ongoing Russian strikes on the country’s energy infrastructure.