Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper has announced that the UK will not sign up to President Donald Trump's proposed Board of Peace due to concerns regarding Russian leader Vladimir Putin's possible involvement. Speaking from the World Economic Forum in Davos, Cooper stated that the UK had been invited to partake in the board but would not be signing at this time.
Characterising the board as a legal treaty with broader implications, Cooper pointed out that while the initiative focuses on resolving the Israel-Hamas conflict, it raises additional concerns, especially considering the lack of mention of the Palestinian territories.
Several nations, such as Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Egypt, have already agreed to join the board, with Trump indicating that Putin had accepted an invitation as well—though the Russian leader has yet to confirm his participation.
Cooper reaffirmed the UK's support for Trump's 20-point peace plan for Gaza, emphasizing the necessity for meaningful commitments towards peace, especially from Putin, in the context of ongoing tensions in Ukraine.
The discussion around the Board of Peace arises within a complicated diplomatic landscape marked by the UK’s strong solidarity with Ukraine. Recent statements from Trump suggesting positive developments in US-Russia relations complicate matters, as the UK seeks to prioritize transparency and accountability in peace negotiations.
