US president Donald Trump at the inaugural gathering of the "Council of Peace" in Washington, D.C., 19 February 2026. © Getty Images
U.S. president Donald Trump said he would "want" Russia and China to join his "Council of Peace" set up to guide the stabilisation of the Gaza Strip after the Israeli-Hamas war. Moscow had previously signaled that it was considering this idea, while China refused, citing commitments to the UN.
In conversation with reporters aboard Air Force On Thursday Trump said that many countries had already joined the Council and that "many are in the process of joining".
"I want China and Russia" – he said. ‘They were invited.
We request both sides.
All the arguments are needed.
Without discrimination’.
Trump's message came after the inaugural Council gathering in Washington, D.C., attended by Heads of State and elder officials from around 40 countries.
More than 20 countries accepted the American invitation to join the council, and about 35 others expressed interest in this idea.
However, respective large western countries – including Germany, France, Britain and Italy – rejected the offer.
While any expressed concerns that this body might undermine the authority of the UN, others pointed to Russia's possible involvement.
Formally established on the occasion of the planet economical Forum in Davos in January, the council is chaired for life by Trump and is tasked with overseeing the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip and implementing the ceasefire.
This body was besides criticized for the deficiency of representation of Palestinians, even though Israel accepted the invitation.
Russia did not formally accede, but informed that it received an invitation and analysed the proposal.
In January, president Vladimir Putin besides proposed to contribute $1 billion from Russian state assets frozen in the US – the exact amount for a permanent seat – even before making the final decision on membership.
However, Moscow stated that it had not yet received a answer to this proposal.
China rejected the invitation, citing its commitment to "true multilateralism” and an global strategy based on the UN.
During the inaugural meeting, Trump stated that the United States had committed to earmarking $10 billion for the council's activities, adding that 9 another associate States – Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, United arabian Emirates, Morocco, Bahrain, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Uzbekistan and Kuwait – had committed themselves together to donating $7 billion.
Translated by Google Translator
source:https://www.rt.com/news/632807-trump-russia-china-board-peace/
