Britain will not participate in Thursday’s signing ceremony for US President Donald Trump’s “Board of Peace” in Davos, Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper announced.
Trump is set to host the ceremony for the founding charter of his new international conflict-resolution body, which carries a $1 billion price tag for permanent membership.
“There’s a huge amount of work to do; we won’t be one of the signatories today,” Cooper told BBC Television from Davos. Her remarks come amid UK concerns over the inclusion of Russian President Vladimir Putin, whose forces continue to fight in Ukraine following the 2022 invasion.
“Because this is about a legal treaty with broader implications, and we also have concerns about President Putin being part of something promoting peace when we have seen no commitment to peace in Ukraine,” she added.
Invitations have reportedly been sent to dozens of world leaders to join the still-vaguely defined board. Originally intended to oversee Gaza’s reconstruction, the charter appears to have ambitions beyond the region, raising questions about whether it seeks to rival the United Nations, a move that has drawn criticism from some US allies, including France.
Trump stated on Wednesday that Putin had agreed to participate, although the Kremlin has said it is still reviewing the invitation.
AFP
