The United Kingdom has said it will not yet join U.S. President Donald Trump’s proposed Board of Peace, citing concerns over the potential involvement of Russia, the country’s foreign secretary said on Thursday.
The United Kingdom will hold off on signing up to U.S. President Donald Trump’s proposed Board of Peace, with Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper raising concerns about Russia’s possible participation in the initiative.
Speaking to the BBC on Thursday, Cooper confirmed that the UK had been invited to join the board but would not be among the signatories at a formal ceremony taking place on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos.
“We won’t be one of the signatories today,” Cooper said, adding that the proposal raised broader legal and political questions for London.
The White House has described the Board of Peace as part of a wider 20-point plan on Gaza, endorsed by the United Nations Security Council in November 2025 under Resolution 2803. The initiative was initially conceived as a mechanism to oversee a Gaza ceasefire and coordinate post-war reconstruction.
However, Cooper said the scope of the board had since expanded significantly.
“This is a legal treaty that raises much broader issues than the original focus on the Gaza ceasefire,” she said.
Russia’s Role a Key Sticking Point
A central concern for London is the potential inclusion of Russia. Earlier this week, Cooper told parliament that Moscow’s participation would be incompatible with the board’s stated purpose.
“President Vladimir Putin is not a man of peace, and I don’t think he belongs in any organisation with peace in the name,” she said.
Trump confirmed on Tuesday that he had invited Putin to join the Board of Peace, describing the body as “one of the most consequential organisations ever created.”
The proposal comes amid continued international efforts to address multiple conflicts, including the wars in Gaza and Ukraine, and has prompted mixed reactions among U.S. allies.
Growing Membership Despite UK Hesitation
Despite the UK’s decision to delay participation, a number of countries have already accepted invitations to join the board. According to U.S. officials, those include Azerbaijan, Argentina, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Jordan, Qatar and Egypt, as well as NATO members Türkiye and Hungary.
The initiative has evolved into a broader international conflict-mediation platform, with dozens of states invited to take part, reflecting Washington’s push to create a new diplomatic mechanism alongside existing international institutions.
Cautious Approach from London
British officials have not ruled out joining the board at a later stage, but Cooper indicated that further clarity would be needed on the initiative’s legal framework, mandate and membership before the UK could commit.
The decision underscores London’s continued caution in multilateral initiatives that may include Russia, particularly as the war in Ukraine continues and relations between Moscow and Western governments remain deeply strained.
Iran warned U.S. forces on Monday not to enter the Strait of Hormuz after President Donald Trump said the United S...
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has urged Iraq’s prime minister-designate to form a government which reflects the country’...
The commander of Iran’s Khatam al-Anbia Central Command has warned the U.S. against deploying forces to escort vessels through the Strait of ...
Uzbekistan has unveiled a series of major economic and regional initiatives as more than 4,000 delegates from over 100 countries gather in Samarkan...
Australia began public hearings on Monday in an inquiry into the Bondi Beach mass shooting in December, with Jewish Australians giving evidence abo...
The commander of Iran’s Khatam al-Anbia Central Command has warned the U.S. against deploying forces to escort vessels through the Strait of Hormuz, saying any such move would be met with force.
Uzbekistan has unveiled a series of major economic and regional initiatives as more than 4,000 delegates from over 100 countries gather in Samarkand for the 59th Annual Meeting of the Asian Development Bank (ADB), held under the theme “Crossroads of Progress.”
European allies are stepping up efforts to meet military commitments following criticism from U.S. President Donald Trump, according to NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte.
Minval Politika has released a third set of footage it says shows former International Criminal Court prosecutor Luis Moreno Ocampo discussing the use of artificial intelligence in a project linked to Armenia and ‘Nagorno-Karabakh’.
China has moved to block U.S. sanctions on five of its oil refineries, in a fresh escalation of tensions over trade and energy policy.
U.S. President Donald Trump has said he will “soon be reviewing” a new 14-point proposal sent by Iran, casting doubt on the chances of a deal after Tehran called for security guarantees, an end to naval blockades and a halt to the war across the region, including in Lebanon.
Ukraine has launched a new wave of drone strikes on Sunday (3 May) across Russia, hitting key infrastructure and causing casualties in several regions, officials on both sides said.
Iran warned U.S. forces on Monday not to enter the Strait of Hormuz after President Donald Trump said the United States would "guide out" ships stranded in the Gulf by the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran.
Tourism across Central Asia is expanding rapidly, with millions of visitors arriving each year as the region becomes an increasingly competitive global travel destination, though growth rates vary significantly between countries.
Australia began public hearings on Monday in an inquiry into the Bondi Beach mass shooting in December, with Jewish Australians giving evidence about their experiences of rising domestic antisemitism.
Armenia is host to the 8th meeting of the European Political Community which opened in Yerevan on Monday (4 May). Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan welcomed European Union leaders and heads of international organisations, including NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte.
European allies are stepping up efforts to meet military commitments following criticism from U.S. President Donald Trump, according to NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte.
Start your day informed with the AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top stories for the 4th of May, covering the latest developments you need to know.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio is expected to travel to the Vatican and Italy this week for a series of meetings, according to Italian media reports, in a visit that comes amid strained relations between Washington and parts of Europe and heightened tensions involving Pope Leo XIV.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment