In a move that has sparked international controversy, US President Donald Trump has extended an invitation to Russian President Vladimir Putin to join a newly formed panel tasked with overseeing the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip.
An Unlikely Invitation for Peace
The invitation, first reported by Russian state media on January 19, 2026, was confirmed by Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov. He stated that President Putin had received the offer through diplomatic channels and that the details were under review.
The panel, which Trump has grandly dubbed the 'Board of Peace', is intended to set the framework and handle funding for the redevelopment of Gaza following years of devastating conflict. The inclusion of Putin, whose forces have been engaged in a prolonged war in Ukraine, is seen by many as a highly contentious choice.
Israeli Objections and Board Appointments
The formation of the board has already met with firm opposition from Israel. The office of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that the initiative 'was not coordinated with Israel and is contrary to its policy'. Notably, no Israeli government officials have been appointed to the committee, although an Israeli businessman has been named.
Last week, Trump announced other high-profile appointees to the board, which he labelled 'the Greatest and Most Prestigious Board ever assembled'. The list includes:
- US Secretary of State Marco Rubio
- Special envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff
- Trump's son-in-law, Jared Kushner
- Former UN special envoy Nickolay Mladenov
- Billionaire Marc Rowan
- World Bank President Ajay Banga
- US Deputy National Security Adviser Robert Gabriel
Trump also previously indicated that former British Prime Minister Tony Blair would be involved, describing him as a 'good man'.
Expert Analysis and Pragmatic Partnerships
Commenting on the potential involvement of Tony Blair, Dr Dafydd Townley, a senior teaching fellow in International Security at the University of Portsmouth, suggested the pairing could be pragmatic. He noted Blair's history of working effectively with political figures from the opposite spectrum, such as former US President George W. Bush.
'So, you might expect that Blair is rather pragmatic in his approach to international relations,' Dr Townley told Metro.
The invitation to President Putin, however, represents a far more dramatic and diplomatically sensitive step. It places a leader accused of decimating parts of Ukraine in a position to influence peace and reconstruction in another major conflict zone, raising significant questions about the board's credibility and future effectiveness.
