Trump Announces Board of Peace at Davos, Predicts Swift End to Ukraine Conflict
In a significant development at the World Economic Forum in Davos, former US President Donald Trump unveiled his Board of Peace, an international organization aimed at resolving global conflicts. During the charter signing ceremony on Thursday, Trump made bold claims about the ongoing war in Ukraine, suggesting it could conclude pretty soon.
Key Developments from Davos
The event saw Trump signing the founding charter of the Board of Peace alongside other founding members. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt declared, Congratulations President Trump, the charter is now in full force, and the board of peace is now an official international organisation. Trump emphasized the board's achievements, stating, We have peace in the Middle East. Nobody thought that was possible. We've settled eight wars, and I believe another one is coming pretty soon... He specifically referenced the Ukraine-Russia conflict, noting that last month, 29,000 people died, mostly soldiers, in Ukraine-Russia.
Trump-Zelenskyy Meeting and Peace Talks
Trump later met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Davos, following which he remarked, war has to end. He expressed optimism about a potential deal, saying, I'm meeting Ukrainian President Zelenskyy, and I think we are 'reasonably close' to a deal to end war. This aligns with earlier comments from US special envoy Steve Witkoff, who indicated that Ukraine-Russia talks have made a lot of progress and are down to one issue between Kyiv and Moscow.
International Reactions and UK's Refusal
Not all nations have embraced the Board of Peace. British Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper announced that the UK will not sign the charter, citing concerns over Russia's involvement. She stated, We won't be one of the signatories today, because this is about a legal treaty that raises much broader issues, and we do also have concerns about President Putin being part of something which is talking about peace. France, Norway, Sweden, and Slovenia have also opted out.
Middle East Focus and Hamas Warning
Trump addressed the Gaza conflict, warning Hamas to disarm or face consequences. He asserted, If Hamas doesn't do what they promised they will do – I think they probably will – but they were born with rifles in their hands. He added, They have to give up their weapons, and if they don't do that – it is going to be the end of them. Trump also hinted at potential talks with Iran, saying, Iran wants to talk 'and we'll talk'.
Other Global and Domestic Updates
In other news, the restart of the world's largest nuclear power plant in Japan was suspended due to an alarm. South Korea's economy grew just 1% in 2025, the slowest since 2020. Domestically, the Rouse Avenue court acquitted former Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal in two cases of non-compliance with ED summons. Additionally, GRAP-3 restrictions were revoked in Delhi-NCR following improved air quality.
The Board of Peace launch marks a pivotal moment in international diplomacy, with Trump positioning it as a potential alternative to the United Nations. He mentioned the UN as a partner, stating, We'll work with many others, including the United Nations, despite his past criticisms of the organization.
