Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that he has been invited by US President Donald Trump to join the “Board of Peace” that will work towards bringing lasting peace to Gaza.
However, Zelenskyy said Ukraine could not imagine operating there alongside Russian President Vladimir Putin. “We did receive the invitation; our diplomats are working on it. However, it’s still very hard for me to imagine how we and Russia could be together in any kind of council," he said, as per AFP.
On Monday, the Kremlin confirmed that Russia has been invited to be a part of the Board of Peace, with President Vladimir Putin receiving the invitation five years into the conflict with Ukraine that has left around 15,000 civilians dead and caused massive military casualties on both sides.
Trump is reportedly seeking a $1 billion payment from countries for a permanent seat on the proposed Board of Peace aimed at resolving conflicts -- which he will chair. Membership is by invitation from the US President, with each country represented by its head of state or government.
Several countries and leaders have confirmed receiving invitations, including China, India, Russia, Ukraine and Canada.
On Tuesday, the UAE foreign ministry said that it has accepted the invitation to join Trump's ‘Board of Peace’, placing Abu Dhabi among the first governments to publicly endorse the initiative.
The ministry said the UAE stood ready to “contribute actively to the mission of the Board of Peace, supporting greater cooperation, stability, and prosperity for all,” marking Abu Dhabi's formal alignment with Washington’s new conflict‑resolution effort.
Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev will join the Board of Peace, their press secretaries said on Monday.
Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has also been invited by Trump to join the board, the country’s foreign office has said. “The Prime Minister of Pakistan has received the invitation from the President of the United States to join the Board of Peace on Gaza,” said foreign office spokesperson Tahir Andrabi.
“Pakistan will remain engaged with international efforts for peace and security in Gaza, leading to a lasting solution to the Palestine issue in accordance with United Nations resolutions,” he added.
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