Trump's 'Peace Council' Officially Established: All US Western European Allies Absent

On the 22nd, US President Trump, together with representatives from more than 10 countries and regions, signed a document in Davos, Switzerland, officially establishing the 'Peace Council' he has advocated for. Fewer than 20 countries' representatives attended the ceremony; none of the US's Western European allies were present, nor were representatives from Palestine or Israel.

Trump will serve as chairman of the 'Peace Council.' At the signing ceremony on the 22nd, he stated that the 'Peace Council' would cooperate with the United Nations in handling significant regional and global diplomatic issues, though he did not specify how this cooperation would be carried out. He also noted that the US defense budget for fiscal year 2027 would increase to $1.5 trillion.

The White House previously stated that about 35 countries had agreed to join the Peace Council, but only 19 countries signed that day, primarily from the Middle East and South America—including Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the UAE, Bahrain, Argentina, Paraguay, and others. Hungary, Bulgaria, Kosovo, and Indonesia were also present.

When speaking on the Gaza issue, Trump warned that if the Palestinian Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) does not agree to disarm, Hamas 'will be finished.' He said the 'Peace Council' is committed to ensuring that the Gaza Strip is demilitarized, properly governed, and rebuilt. He mentioned that as the 'Peace Council' achieves success in Gaza, 'we can do many other things as well.'

Trump stated that participants are 'mostly very popular leaders, and some are not so popular—that's life.'

Trump emphasized that the organization will 'work in joint cooperation with the United Nations.'

EU Has Doubts about Certain Provisions in the Charter

European Council President Costa told reporters on the 23rd, after the conclusion of the EU's emergency summit, that the EU has serious doubts about certain proposed provisions of the 'Peace Council's' charter, mainly regarding its scope of functions, governance structure, and compatibility with the United Nations Charter.

In a recent interview, Trump said the 'Peace Council' would first address the Gaza issue and then extend to 'other conflicts.' Some public opinion believes that the US intends to create an institution parallel to the United Nations, which would further undermine the authority and working mechanisms of the UN. Some invited countries have refused to join or remain cautious.

EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Karas, stated that the EU wants to promote Middle East peace and advocates that the so-called 'Peace Council's' functions be limited within the framework stipulated by United Nations Security Council resolutions.