Board of Peace launched by US president sparks Russian doubts

The actual powers of the Board of Peace, established at the initiative of US President Donald Trump, remain unclear, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said.

Speaking at the 15th Middle East Conference of the Valdai International Discussion Club, Lavrov noted that while the board and its subordinate structures, including an executive body composed of Palestinian technocrats, have been formed, their real authority is still unknown, Caliber.Az repoirts, citing Russian media.

“A Board of Peace has been created. A structure subordinate to the Board of Peace has been established, including an executive body made up of Palestinian technocrats. What their real powers are — we do not know,” Lavrov said, adding that Russia hopes to gain clarity on these questions.

The remarks come amid reports that Russian President Vladimir Putin was invited to join the Board of Peace. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov confirmed that Putin instructed the Russian Foreign Ministry to engage with international partners on the initiative. The president also indicated a willingness to contribute $1 billion from Russian assets currently frozen in the United States to the Board. The American side has not yet responded to the proposal.

The Board of Peace, launched under Trump’s initiative, is part of broader US efforts to establish new structures in the Middle East, but details regarding its mandate, decision-making authority, and executive powers remain opaque.

By Vafa Guliyeva