Donald Trump launches his controversial Board of Peace at Davos and plans talks with Ukraine’s Zelensky as he drops Greenland threats
US President Donald Trump is set to unveil his controversial new “Board of Peace” at the World Economic Forum in Davos on Thursday, as he also prepares to meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in a renewed push to project himself as a global peacemaker.
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The launch comes a day after Trump abruptly backed away from earlier threats to impose tariffs on Europe and to use military force to seize Greenland from Denmark moves that had unsettled diplomats and dominated discussions among world leaders gathered at the Swiss resort.
On his second day in Davos, Trump will preside over a signing ceremony for the charter of the Trump Board of Peace, a body he says is designed to resolve international conflicts.
Permanent membership reportedly comes with a $1 billion price tag.
“I think it’s the greatest board ever formed,” Trump said on Wednesday while meeting Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, one of several leaders who have agreed to join the initiative.
The Board of Peace was initially conceived as a mechanism to oversee post-war reconstruction in Gaza following the conflict between Israel and Hamas.
However, its charter places no geographical limits on its mandate, raising concerns among critics that Trump intends it to rival existing multilateral institutions such as the United Nations.
According to a senior Trump administration official, about 35 world leaders have committed to the board out of roughly 50 invitations issued.
Those invited include Russian President Vladimir Putin, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán.
Trump claimed on Wednesday that Putin had agreed to join, although the Kremlin has said it is still reviewing the invitation.
The prospect of Russian participation has alarmed several US allies, particularly Ukraine, which remains locked in a nearly four-year war with Moscow.
Trump said he would hold talks with President Zelensky after the Board of Peace meeting, as negotiations over a possible ceasefire continue.
Speaking earlier in Davos, Trump said Russia and Ukraine would be “stupid” not to reach a deal, reiterating his long-standing claim that he could end the war quickly if given the chance.
“I believe they’re at a point now where they can come together and get a deal done. And if they don’t, they’re stupid — that goes for both of them,” he said.
Despite his confidence, Trump has previously shifted blame between Moscow and Kyiv for the lack of progress, while maintaining that NATO and European allies should shoulder more responsibility for supporting Ukraine.
Meanwhile, Trump’s special envoy, businessman Steve Witkoff, is expected to travel to Moscow from Davos on Thursday alongside Trump’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner, to hold talks with Putin.
Zelensky has expressed concern that Trump’s earlier focus on Greenland could distract from the urgency of ending Russia’s invasion.
However, Trump said late Wednesday that he had reached a “framework of a future deal” after meeting NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte.
Following the meeting, Trump announced he would waive tariffs that were due to hit European allies on February 1. Rutte described the talks as “very good” but acknowledged that “a lot of work” remained, particularly regarding Greenland.
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Trump continues to argue that the mineral-rich Arctic island is strategically vital for US and NATO security, citing growing competition with Russia and China.
Quadri Olaitan is a journalist and contributor to Freelanews.com, covering news, public affairs, and human-interest stories.
