“Such a proposal was indeed expressed by the President of Russia. We have not yet received a response,” Peskov said.
The spokesman for the head of the Kremlin told reporters that the topic of the Peace Council “is still being worked out” by Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov “together with allies and partners.”
Putin voiced the idea of “sending $1 billion to the Peace Council from Russian assets frozen under the previous US administration” on January 21 at a meeting with permanent members of the Russian Security Council.
When Trump was asked on January 22 aboard Air Force One whether he would approve of Putin's proposal as an entry fee to the Peace Council, the head of the White House did not immediately believe that the head of the Kremlin had proposed it.
“If he uses his money, I think that's fine. You say, what did he say this morning? He's going to go on the Peace Council and contribute $1 billion using his money? If he uses his money, that's great,” Trump said.
Context
Trump invited countries wishing to have a permanent seat on the Gaza Peace Council to contribute at least $1 billion, Bloomberg reported. Critics fear that the US president is trying to create an alternative to the UN and concentrate control over finances and decisions in one hand.
The Financial Times reported that Trump wants to create the same “peace council” and in relation to Ukraine. The group could supposedly include representatives of Ukraine, Europe, NATO and the aggressor country Russia, who will monitor and guarantee the implementation of a potential peace agreement.
On January 22, the US President signed a document establishing the Peace Council at the World Economic Forum in Davos. His The charter was signed by about 20 countries, including Hungary and Bulgaria among EU members.
Some countries rejected Trump's invitation, in particular – France.
