Donald Trump's peace board invitation is a gift for Vladimir Putin - but it will disgust Ukraine
The peace board is meant to oversee a ceasefire in Gaza, even though that is precisely what Donald Trump has failed to broker in Ukraine.
Tuesday 20 January 2026 04:54, UK
So invading your neighbour is apparently no barrier to being an arbiter of peace.
If the irony's lost on Donald Trump, it certainly will not be on Ukrainians.
Having lived under Russian missile attacks for nearly four years, Kyiv will no doubt be disgusted by the American president's invitation to Vladimir Putin to join his "board of peace" on Gaza.
It's designed to oversee a ceasefire, even though that's precisely what Mr Trump has failed to broker in Ukraine.
"No ceasefire until a full peace deal" remains Moscow's mantra, as it continues to refuse Kyiv's demands to pause hostilities along the current frontlines.
The invitation, as yet unconfirmed by the White House, appears to say a lot about Mr Trump's approach to Russia and the war in Ukraine.
Instead of a pariah, he sees Mr Putin as a partner.
This invitation will only add to Europe's growing suspicions that, when it comes to peace talks, Washington heavily favours Moscow.
For Mr Putin, it's a gift - another step out of international isolation and towards rehabilitation.
His acceptance might prompt some to resign their positions from the board (how does Tony Blair feel about sharing a stage with someone accused of war crimes?), while others might decline to join.
But, even so, it still gives Mr Putin a seat at the table once again.
And Gaza may be only the beginning, of course.
Mr Trump reportedly wants the board's work to be expanded to resolve other conflicts, too. Could Ukraine be one of them?
Now, surely, that's an offer too good for the Russian leader to refuse.
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There are concerns that the board could undermine the role of the UN, of which Russia is a permanent Security Council member.
But I don't think Mr Putin will be too bothered about that.
Anything that weakens the existing world order tends to make the Kremlin happy, especially if Volodymyr Zelenskyy is not invited.