Trump Launches 'Board of Peace' in Davos; Zelenskyy Announces US-Russia-Ukraine Talks

Trump Unveils 'Board of Peace' Initiative in Davos

President Donald Trump formally launched his 'Board of Peace' initiative on Thursday, January 22, 2026, during the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. The initiative, initially conceived last year as part of a Trump-brokered peace plan for Gaza, aims to oversee the reconstruction of Palestinian territory and has since expanded its ambition to resolve international conflicts globally.

President Trump is slated to chair the new body, which includes an executive committee featuring Secretary of State Marco Rubio, U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff, Jared Kushner, former U.K. Prime Minister Tony Blair, and World Bank Group President Ajay Banga. Membership to the 'Board of Peace' allows countries to become permanent members by contributing $1 billion. So far, 35 countries, primarily from the Middle East and South America, have signed on. However, many traditional U.S. allies and most Western European nations have expressed reservations or have not joined. Russia is reportedly considering an invitation and has proposed using frozen assets to contribute.

The initiative's gold-colored logo, which bears a resemblance to the United Nations emblem but focuses on North America and parts of South America, has drawn attention. While Trump stated the board would 'work with' the United Nations, some leaders have voiced concerns that the new body could potentially sideline or replace the existing international organization. The UN Security Council had previously endorsed a resolution in November 2025 supporting the creation of a peace council for regional recovery, specifically for Gaza.

Zelenskyy Announces Trilateral Peace Talks

In a separate but related development at the Davos forum, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that representatives from Ukraine, Russia, and the United States would hold their first trilateral talks aimed at ending the ongoing conflict. These two-day meetings are scheduled to commence on Friday, January 23, 2026, in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

Zelenskyy's announcement followed a 'productive' meeting with President Trump on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum. The Ukrainian President expressed hope that Russia would be prepared for compromises, emphasizing that 'everybody has to be ready, not only Ukraine.' He also highlighted that the future status of eastern Ukrainian territories currently occupied by Russian forces remains an unresolved issue. President Trump, for his part, described his discussions with Zelenskyy as 'good' and conveyed that his message to Russian President Vladimir Putin was that the war must conclude. Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner were dispatched to Moscow for further talks with Putin.

Ukraine's Stance on Trump's Initiative and European Criticism

During his time in Davos, President Zelenskyy also addressed Europe's role in global crises, delivering a strong critique of what he termed Europe's 'Greenland mode' – a perceived inaction and reliance on U.S. leadership. He urged European nations to take more decisive action and develop their own defense capabilities.

Regarding Trump's 'Board of Peace,' Zelenskyy confirmed that Ukraine had received an invitation to join. However, he stated that Ukraine would only consider membership after the war with Russia concludes, citing the impossibility of sitting at the same table with Russia and its ally Belarus while hostilities persist.

Broader Context of Davos 2026

The 2026 World Economic Forum has been marked by significant geopolitical discussions. Beyond the peace initiatives, the forum was partially overshadowed by President Trump's earlier 'gambit to take over Greenland' and his threats of tariffs against European countries. These tariffs were later called off following a 'framework' deal.