Russia Responds to Peace Council Invite, Offers $1 Billion From Frozen US Assets
Putin acknowledges Trump’s proposal but says Moscow will consult partners before deciding on participation
Russia, Jan 22 : Russia has responded to Washington’s latest diplomatic outreach, with President Vladimir Putin acknowledging an invitation from US President Donald Trump to join a proposed international “Peace Council” aimed at addressing global conflicts, including the Israeli-Palestinian issue.
Speaking at a meeting of Russia’s Security Council on Wednesday, Putin said Moscow was open to supporting the initiative financially, adding that Russia could immediately offer $1 billion drawn from Russian assets currently frozen in the United States.
According to Russian state broadcaster RT, Putin said the funds could be made available “right now, even before we decide whether we’ll take part in the work of the Board of Peace,” citing what he described as Russia’s “special relations with the people of Palestine.”
He said the money could be sourced “from the Russian assets frozen by the previous US administration,” and stressed that Moscow “has always supported and continues to support any efforts aimed at strengthening international stability.”
The proposed council is expected to focus on peace initiatives in the Middle East, with particular attention to humanitarian relief and post-conflict reconstruction in Gaza.
Putin welcomes invite, signals caution
While thanking Trump for the invitation, Putin said Russia would need time to study the proposal in detail and consult its strategic partners before making a final decision, RT reported.
His comments come days after Trump confirmed that Putin was among several world leaders invited to join what is being described as the Gaza Board of Peace.
Speaking to reporters earlier this week, Trump said the proposed body would work toward peace and stability in Gaza, adding that Russia was among the countries being considered for participation.
What the Peace Council aims to do
The initiative forms part of Phase 2 of Trump’s 20-point peace plan for the Middle East, which was first outlined in September last year. Since then, the scope of the proposal has reportedly expanded beyond Gaza to include broader global conflict resolution.
The council is expected to bring together leaders from nearly 60 countries, with a mandate that includes overseeing post-conflict reconstruction, particularly in Gaza, and promoting long-term regional stability.
According to a White House statement, the executive board would manage key areas such as large-scale funding, investment mobilisation, regional engagement, reconstruction efforts, governance capacity-building and capital deployment.
Under the proposal, countries committing $1 billion would receive permanent seats on the board, while other participating nations would be eligible for fixed three-year terms.
