Mixed Global Response to Trump’s Proposed Board of Peace

A proposed U.S.-led “Board of Peace” promoted by President Donald Trump is drawing mixed reactions internationally, with some governments embracing the initiative while others raise legal, political, and governance concerns.

The board is intended to initially address the war in Gaza, before expanding to other global conflicts. According to invitations sent to around 60 countries, the body would be chaired for life by Trump, with countries required to contribute $1 billion for permanent membership. Diplomats have cautioned that the initiative could undermine existing multilateral institutions, including the United Nations.

Italy raises constitutional and political concerns

Italy has signalled reservations about joining the initiative. Economy Minister Giancarlo Giorgetti said on Wednesday that participation appeared problematic, noting that reports suggested “there are some problems” with Italy’s involvement.

Italian daily Corriere della Sera reported that Rome would not take part, arguing that joining a body dominated by a single country’s leader would violate Italy’s constitution. The constitution allows Italy to join international organisations only on equal terms with other states, a condition the newspaper said would not be met under the proposed structure of the board. The Italian government has not formally commented on the report.

Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, who has maintained warm relations with Trump, is also unlikely to attend a ceremony in Davos, Switzerland, where Trump is due to mark the launch of the new group.

Support from allies and authoritarian-leaning states

Despite hesitation among some Western governments, several countries have confirmed their participation. Kosovo said it had accepted Trump’s invitation, with President Vjosa Osmani describing the move as standing “shoulder to shoulder” with the United States. Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has also accepted the invitation, according to his office.

Azerbaijan and Armenia have both agreed to join following a U.S.-brokered peace agreement last year after decades of conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh. Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko also signed an agreement to join this week, describing it as a step towards contributing to peace in Ukraine.

However, some of the early adopters — including Belarus and Azerbaijan — have long been criticised by Western governments and rights groups for weak democratic institutions and governance standards. Lukashenko, in power since 1994, has been widely shunned by the West over human rights concerns and his support for Russia in the war in Ukraine, though the U.S. has recently eased sanctions as part of negotiations over political prisoners.

Trump has also said he invited Russian President Vladimir Putin to join the board, further adding to unease among Western allies about the direction and credibility of the initiative.

So far, only a limited number of countries — including Hungary, Israel, the United Arab Emirates, Pakistan, Kosovo, Armenia, Azerbaijan and Belarus — have accepted without reservations, underscoring the divisions surrounding the proposed Board of Peace and the questions it raises about governance, legitimacy and long-term effectiveness.