Seven countries have united to support a peace initiative aimed at fostering stability in Gaza. The nations involved are Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Egypt, Jordan, Indonesia, Pakistan, and Qatar. They have collectively endorsed the objective of establishing a permanent ceasefire, facilitating reconstruction efforts, and promoting a “just and lasting peace” in the region.
Trump’s Initiative and International Response
At the World Economic Forum in Switzerland, former U.S. President Donald Trump announced the creation of this peace board. During discussions, he confirmed that Russian President Vladimir Putin had accepted his invitation to join. Trump stated, “He was invited, he’s accepted. Many people have accepted.” However, Russia has noted that the invitation is still under consideration.
Putin signaled that Russia is prepared to contribute $1 billion from frozen assets towards the initiative. He emphasized that this board’s relevance is primarily focused on the Middle East.
Additional Countries Joining the Board
The exact number of countries invited to participate in Trump’s initiative remains unclear. However, reports indicate that Canada and the UK have been invited, though neither has publicly responded yet. Other nations, such as the UAE, Bahrain, Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Hungary, Kazakhstan, Morocco, and Vietnam, have already joined.
The Vatican’s Consideration
The Vatican has also confirmed that Pope Leo received an invitation to join the peace initiative. Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican’s Secretary of State, mentioned the Pope would need time to deliberate on the involvement.
Concerns Over International Impact
Amidst this backdrop, Slovenia’s Prime Minister Robert Golob expressed concerns regarding the initiative. He stated he had declined the invitation, citing that it “dangerously interferes with the broader international order.” This sentiment highlights ongoing apprehensions about the initiative’s potential ramifications on global diplomacy.
As the situation develops, the reactions and decisions of various countries will be pivotal in shaping the outcomes of this peace initiative.
