The United States will not grant any titles of nobility; and no one who holds in their name any office for remuneration or trust shall, without the consent of the Congress, receive from any monarch, prince, or foreign state any gift, emolument, office, or title, whatever they may be.
United States Constitution, Article I, Section 9, Clause 8
As I write these words, President Donald Trump is seeking donations of $1 billion from foreign governments. [ok. 3,5 mld zł] in exchange for a seat on the newly established Peace Council.
These funds will not go to the US treasury. They will be deposited into the council's bank account, which will be managed by Donald Trump alone. They will be at his exclusive disposal also after the end of his term in the White House.
So far, the only major power that has responded positively to Trump's request for billions in “donations” is Russia.
According to media reports, the Kremlin declared a payment of one billion dollars on the condition that the frozen foreign accounts of Russian funds – frozen to prevent financing of the invasion of Ukraine — will be unlocked.
When asked by a journalist about Putin's offer, Trump replied: – He will join the Peace Council and contribute a billion dollars of his own funds… That's great!
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In exchange for a donation to the Peace Council Russia would receive the resources it needs to significantly expand and prolong its military onslaught. But is it fair to say that the money will go directly to Trump? Let's check.
According to the council's statute:
1
Donald Trump will serve as chairman of the board for life until he decides to resign.
2
As chairman, Trump will have the power to veto any board decision, including all spending and policy decisions.
3
As chairman, Trump will have the authority to appoint and remove all other board members.
4
As chairman, Trump will have the right to interpret the board's charter as he sees fit.
To summarize, points 1, 2, 3, and 4 above actually give Donald J. Trump – not to the US president, but to Trump himself — perpetual power over full control of this organization and decisions regarding the expenditure of its funds.
Vladimir Putin, president of Russia, and Donald Trump, president of the USA, after a work conference. Anchorage, August 15, 2025Bob Strong/UPI Photo via Newscom / PAP
For example, if Trump wants to commission his own company to build hotels, he will be able to do so. If he wants to pay himself or selected people any remuneration, he will have the full right to do so. If he wants to spend the organization's funds on lawsuits against people he does not like, or on purchasing real estate, goods or services for his own use, he will also have the opportunity to do so. In practice, the Council's money will become Trump's money.
This raises serious questions that go far beyond Trump's willingness to betray Ukraine. United States Constitution expressly prohibits holders of federal office from accepting funds from foreign governments. And for a very obvious reason – it is unacceptable for those in charge of the country to be susceptible to corruption by foreign rulers whose interests may conflict with those of the United States.
At the time when the American Constitution was being created, the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, a former power, was collapsing because the authorities were paralyzed by members of the Sejm bribed by neighboring countries. The founders of the USA rightly recognized that the American system should exclude the possibility of a repeat of such a disaster.
Russia poses a threat not only to Ukraine
And yet we have just arrived at this point. As president, Trump has the ability to make decisions that may significantly affect the interests of foreign countries. By creating the Peace Council, he is putting these decisions up for sale. It is no longer a question of who pays the tariff and who doesn't – although that is serious too. These are key issues for state security.
A screen showing Vladimir Putin's speech during the Victory Day celebrations. Moscow, May 9, 2024EPA/MAXIM SHIPENKOV / PAP
Russia is not only a threat to Ukraine. Russia has over a thousand missiles with nuclear warheads aimed at the United States and is a real threat to our NATO allies. Nevertheless, Trump is ready to unblock Russian funds provided that the Kremlin pays one billion dollars into his “piggy bank”.
This could help Russia conquer Ukraine. If this were to happen, Russia would significantly increase its war potential, eliminate a key strategic weakness on its southwestern border that currently prevents it from attacking the Baltic states, and its armies would stand on the borders of NATO allies: Poland, Hungary and Romania. Poland would probably put up fierce resistance, but from this position Russia could quickly take over the Baltic countries and then move through Hungary and Austria into Europe without much difficulty.
Moreover, perhaps such a march would not even be necessary – after conquering Ukraine and the Baltic states, Russia would certainly commit mass atrocities, as in Syria, to cause a wave of refugees to Europe and allow their puppet anti-immigrant parties to take power: Alternative für Deutschland, French National Rally, etc.
It is clear that this cannot happen. Also other key national security decisions cannot be undertaken under such pressures. Congress must take action.
I’m Ashley Davis as an editor, I’m committed to upholding the highest standards of integrity and accuracy in every piece we publish. My work is driven by curiosity, a passion for truth, and a belief that journalism plays a crucial role in shaping public discourse. I strive to tell stories that not only inform but also inspire action and conversation.
