Kamal Ghorui
File photo: US President Donald Trump with Russian President Vladimir Putin (Picture credit: AP)
US President Donald Trump has reacted cautiously but positively to Russian President Vladimir Putin’s suggestion that he could use frozen Russian assets to pay for entry into Trump’s proposed “Board of Peace”. Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One while returning from the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos on Thursday, Trump said he was open to the idea if the funds were Putin’s own.Asked whether he would allow Putin to use frozen Russian assets for the contribution, Trump said, “I don’t know about that. I mean, I’ve heard that.” After the reporter clarified that the comment came from Putin himself, Trump responded, “Very interesting. But he said he’s going to use his money. His money. I think that’s fine.”Trump added that Putin had indicated he would contribute $1 billion to join the Board of Peace. “He’s going to join the Board of Peace and he’s going to make a contribution of a billion dollars by using his money. I mean, if he’s using his money, that’s great. I think it’s important to have everybody,” Trump said.
Putin signals use of frozen assets
Earlier, Putin suggested that Russia could contribute $1 billion from Russian assets currently frozen in the United States to Trump’s Board of Peace. He also said frozen funds could later be used to rebuild Ukrainian regions after a peace treaty is signed. Putin said the proposal had been discussed with Washington and would be taken up during talks with Trump’s envoys in Moscow.
About Trump’s Board of Peace
Trump signed the charter of the Board of Peace at Davos on Thursday, with permanent membership likely requiring a $1 billion contribution. The body was initially tasked to oversee peace efforts linked to Gaza but is not limited to the region, raising concerns that it could function as a parallel forum to the United Nations. Around 35 world leaders have confirmed participation so far, with strong backing from several Middle Eastern countries, while key US allies such as France and the United Kingdom have expressed doubts and opted to stay away for now.
