The Peace Council was first introduced in 2025 as the governing body of Gaza, but its official statute does not directly refer to the territory. The document provides for a broad mandate, which, according to observers, may undermine the current diplomatic framework and the role of the United Nations.
It is known that membership in the Peace Council is reserved for countries invited by the US. The standard membership period is three years, but countries that donate $1 billion in the first year receive permanent membership. Reuters findings show that smaller countries can count on lower amounts of around $200 million.
Which countries received an invitation to the Peace Council?
How many countries responded positively to the US invitation?
Who will take part in Thursday's meeting in Davos?
Why did Norway and Sweden refuse to participate in the Peace Council?
Poland in the Peace Council? “Trump accepted it with understanding”
Karol Nawrocki talked to Donald Trump on Wednesday. Among the topics of the meeting of the presidents of Poland and the USA was our country's participation in the Peace Council.
— Every international agreement that Poland accedes to and initialed by the president must, of course, pass through the Polish Parliament and a resolution of the Council of Ministers must be adopted. I am aware of these constitutional obligations and President Trump understands them perfectly, said President Nawrocki in an interview with Telewizja Republika.
The head of the Presidential Office of International Policy, Marcin Przydacz, announced that Karol Nawrocki will take part in the Thursday meeting in Davos regarding the establishment of the Peace Council, but the signing will not take place in a legal sense.
Who joined the Peace Council and who refused to participate?
Over 50 countries have received invitations to participate in the Council, some of which have already confirmed their willingness to participate. However, many countries are still hesitant, fearing that the council's broad powers could lead to the marginalization of the UN.
The US invited its closest allies, such as Great Britain, France, Canada, Israel, Saudi Arabia and Australia, but also Russia and China, to participate in the Peace Council.
According to information provided by Steve Witkoff, 25 countries have already joined the Peace Council. These include US Middle Eastern allies such as Israel, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Egypt. Türkiye, Hungary, Armenia and Azerbaijan also joined the initiative. These are countries whose leaders maintain good relations with Trump.
Canada has declared preliminary consent, but the details are still being determined. At the same time, the authorities in Ottawa announced that they would not pay any fees for permanent membership in the Peace Council.
Norway and Sweden have refused to participate, and other European countries appear to be moving in this direction. Media in Italy report that participation in a group led by the leader of one country would be inconsistent with the Italian constitution. The French press reports that Paris is inclined to reject the offer. Great Britain and Germany have not yet taken a final position, although the German government spokesman announced that Chancellor Friedrich Merz will not participate in the signing of the agreement during the World Economic Forum in Davos.
Ukraine is analyzing the invitation, but President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed reservations about the possibility of cooperation in one body with Russia after four years of war.
— Regarding our participation in the Peace Council, the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been instructed to review the documents received and consult with our strategic partners. Only then will we be able to respond to the invitation addressed to us, Vladimir Putin said during a video conference with permanent members of the Security Council of Russia.
Slovenia also rejected Donald Trump's invitation, as announced by Prime Minister Robert Golob. “While we consider any initiative that can calm the situation in the Middle East to be commendable, this invitation dangerously undermines the broader international order,” he explained.
