The United Kingdom has postponed joining the “Peace Council” proposed by U.S. President Donald Trump, citing concerns over the possible participation of Russian President Vladimir Putin.
اضافة اعلان
British Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper said that Britain “will not be among the signatories today” during the scheduled signing ceremony of the agreement aimed at establishing the council, which is designed to address conflicts around the world.
In remarks to the BBC, Cooper explained that the proposed agreement is “a legal treaty that raises much broader issues” than the council’s initial focus on ending the war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza.
She added that the charter proposed by the White House does not mention the Palestinian territories and appears to be designed to replace some of the functions of the United Nations.
Countries including Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Egypt, and Israel have announced their intention to join the council. During the World Economic Forum in Davos, President Trump said that Putin had accepted an invitation to join the initiative. However, the Russian president has not confirmed this, having previously stated that his country was still considering the invitation.
Speaking on the BBC’s Breakfast program, Cooper said the United Kingdom had received an invitation to join the council and reaffirmed Britain’s strong support for Trump’s 20-point plan to end the war in Gaza.
She added: “That is why we also stress that we want to play our role in the second phase of the peace process in Gaza.”
However, she continued: “We will not be among the signatories today, because this is a legal treaty that raises much broader issues. We also have concerns about President Putin’s participation in an entity that speaks about peace, at a time when we have seen no indications from Putin of a commitment to peace in Ukraine.”
She said Putin has shown no willingness “to come forward and sign such an agreement, and that is where pressure should now be focused.”
The foreign secretary added: “But we will continue international discussions, including with our allies.”
Cooper’s remarks were consistent with the positions of other ministers in the British government, who in recent days have expressed concern over Putin’s potential role in the council amid Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine.
As talks aimed at ending the war in Ukraine continue, President Trump is scheduled to meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Davos on Thursday.
Trump reiterated on Wednesday his frequent belief that Putin and Zelenskyy are close to reaching an agreement. (Agencies)
