United States President Donald Trump has extended an invitation to Russian President Vladimir Putin to join a proposed international peace council, an initiative the U.S. leader says would tackle major global conflicts, including the governance and reconstruction of Gaza.
The announcement comes as the war in Ukraine, now approaching its fourth year, continues with no comprehensive peace agreement in sight.
During his previous presidential campaign, Trump repeatedly asserted that he could end the Ukraine conflict within 24 hours of taking office, but months of fighting and stalled negotiations have left the conflict unresolved.
White House officials confirmed on Monday that the invitation to Putin was part of broader diplomatic outreach to world leaders for participation in the council, which Trump is expected to chair personally.
Kremlin spokesman, Dmitry Peskov confirmed that Putin had received the invitation and that Moscow is seeking further clarification from Washington regarding the council’s structure and mandate.
Peskov did not indicate whether the Russian president was likely to accept.
Reports suggested that Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, a close Putin ally, has also been invited to participate.
Russia’s historical ties across the Middle East, including relationships with both Israel and the Palestinians, have shifted in recent years.
Moscow’s involvement in Ukraine and Israel’s military campaigns in Gaza have altered its alliances, with Russia deepening engagement with Iran and strengthening economic and political ties with Gulf Arab states in response to growing Western isolation.
Putin had previously commended Trump’s attempts to mediate international conflicts.
In October 2025, the Russian president described the U.S. leader’s efforts in the Middle East as significant, calling the potential for progress in Gaza “historic.”
The Kremlin has criticised Israel’s military operations in Gaza, citing the humanitarian impact on civilians.
In May 2025, Putin told Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas that the Gaza Strip was facing a full-scale humanitarian catastrophe.
Russia continued to provide aid to the Palestinian population, according to state media.
Trump’s proposed peace council is expected to oversee the implementation of a 20-point framework aimed at ending the Gaza conflict.
The council reportedly features three tiers of representation, including officials from the United States, Europe, and Arab countries.
However, analysts have raised concerns about the council’s composition, noting that pro-Israel figures occupy top positions, while Palestinian representatives are limited to lower-level or municipal roles.
Critics warned that this structure risks sidelining Palestinian political authority and replacing it with a governance model driven primarily by external actors and commercial interests.
As the initiative begins to take shape, international observers would be watching closely to assess whether it can mediate meaningful peace in Gaza while balancing the interests of all parties involved.
