Russian President Vladimir Putin has received an invitation to join United States President Donald Trump’s proposed “Board of Peace,” an initiative designed to address global conflicts and supervise governance and reconstruction efforts in Gaza, according to the Kremlin.
For several years, Moscow attempted to maintain balanced relations with all key actors in the Middle East, including both Israel and the Palestinians.
However, developments following the Israel-Hamas war and Russia’s ongoing military campaign in Ukraine have altered that approach, with Putin distancing himself from Israel while strengthening ties with its regional rivals, particularly Iran.
At the same time, Russia has intensified its engagement with Gulf states as Western isolation deepens.
“President Putin also received an invitation to join this Board of Peace,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told journalists, including AFP.
Peskov said Russia was working to “clarify all the nuances” surrounding the proposal with Washington, though he did not indicate whether the Russian leader was inclined to accept the offer.
The White House has reportedly contacted several global figures to participate in the “Board of Peace,” which is expected to be chaired by President Trump himself.
Putin has in the past spoken positively about Trump’s attempts to resolve long-running international disputes.
“He’s really doing a lot to resolve these complex crises, which have lasted for years, even decades,” Putin said last October.
Commenting on tensions in the Middle East, the Russian leader added, “If we succeed in achieving everything Donald has strived for… it will be a historic event.”
Russia’s traditionally cordial relationship with Israel, which is home to a significant population of Russian-born citizens, has come under strain due to both the Ukraine conflict and the war in Gaza.
The Kremlin has on several occasions criticised Israel’s response to the October 7 attacks and urged restraint.
“The Gaza Strip is experiencing a humanitarian catastrophe in the full sense of the word,” Putin was quoted as saying by RIA Novosti during a meeting with Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas last May.
“Russia, as a friend of the Palestinian people, is trying to provide regular assistance,” he added.
What you should know
The invitation to Vladimir Putin to join Donald Trump’s proposed “Board of Peace” highlights shifting global alliances amid major international conflicts.
While Russia once maintained a careful balance in the Middle East, its stance has evolved following the wars in Ukraine and Gaza, leading to strained ties with Israel and stronger relations with its adversaries and Gulf nations.
The proposed board reflects Washington’s attempt to involve influential global leaders in conflict resolution, particularly in Gaza, even as geopolitical tensions between Russia and the West remain unresolved.
