• Kremlin: Putin invited to Trump-chaired Gaza Peace Board through diplomatic channels
• Council already includes Tony Blair; would oversee reconstruction and political direction
• Western capitals react with alarm; Ukrainian officials call proposal “moral bankruptcy”

MOSCOW / WASHINGTON (TDR) — Russian President Vladimir Putin has reportedly received a formal invitation to join President Donald Trump’s newly announced “Board of Peace for Gaza,” placing the Kremlin strongman at the centre of Western-led negotiations over the enclave’s post-war future, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov confirmed Monday.

The council—first revealed by Trump last month and already set to include former British Prime Minister Tony Blair—would oversee Gaza’s reconstruction, security arrangements and long-term political direction. Peskov told reporters Putin had “received an invitation through diplomatic channels to join this Peace Council,” adding Moscow is “studying all details and hopes to clarify nuances with the American side.”

“If participation can genuinely reduce civilian suffering, we will consider it seriously,” Peskov said.

What Is the ‘Board of Peace’?

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Little detail exists about the council’s legal structure, budget or authority. A one-page White House non-paper circulated to capitals last week describes:

• a 12-member board chaired by Trump;
• no UN or Quartet oversight;
• power to allocate reconstruction funds and vet security contractors;
• veto authority over Gaza elections or border arrangements.

Members would enjoy diplomatic immunity and access to U.S. intelligence briefings, according to the document seen by TDR.

Who Is Already In?

Besides Trump (chair) and Blair (vice-chair), invitations have gone out to:

• Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan;
• UAE National Security Adviser Tahnoun bin Zayed;
• Qatari PM Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani;
• Israeli Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer;
• Egyptian Intelligence Chief Abbas Kamel.

Putin would make the seventh confirmed invitee; the chair says two seats remain unfilled.

Western Backlash

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European capitals reacted with alarm. A senior EU diplomat told TDR inviting Putin “would legitimise aggression and undermine any reconstruction credibility.”

British opposition leader Keir Starmer urged Downing Street to “reconsider any participation” if Putin joins, while French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna called the idea “moral bankruptcy.”

“Gaza reconstruction cannot become a reward for invaders,” Colonna said.

Ukrainian Fury

Kyiv reacted with outrage. Presidential adviser Mykhailo Podolyak labelled the invitation “appeasement on steroids” and demanded immediate clarification from Washington.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba summoned the U.S. chargé d’affaires in Kyiv Monday night, stating:

“While Russians bomb Ukrainian hospitals, Washington offers Putin a seat at the Gaza table. This is unacceptable.”

White House Response

National Security Council spokesman John Ullyot neither confirmed nor denied the invitation, saying only:

“We welcome all parties genuinely committed to Gaza peace and reconstruction.”

Pressed on Putin specifically, Ullyot added: “The chair determines membership based on contribution to stability.”

Moscow’s Calculus

Kremlin watchers say Putin sees the board as a low-cost route to regain great-power legitimacy while blocking any Western-dominated settlement. Moscow has long sought a Mediterranean foothold and influence over Gaza gas fields.

Acceptance would also split Western coalitions, a favourite Kremlin tactic. Russian diplomats have already floated linking Gaza reconstruction to sanctions relief on Syrian banks.

“If Putin joins, the board becomes a bargaining chip for Ukraine, Syria and sanctions,” said Jeffrey Mankoff, senior fellow at CSIS.

Arab-Israeli Reaction

Hamas senior official Sami Abu Zuhri told Reuters any board including Putin “must recognise Palestinian sovereignty over Gaza gas.”

Israeli Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer—already an invitee—declined to comment on Putin but stressed Israel would “veto any arrangement that empowers Iran or its proxies.”

Saudi Arabia, meanwhile, fears Russian influence could dilute Gulf leverage. Riyadh has asked for written guarantees that reconstruction funds would not flow through Russian banks.

Legal & Financial Fog

The board’s funding mechanism remains opaque. The White House non-paper mentions a $20 billion “Peace & Reconstruction Escrow” managed by an unnamed U.S. bank, with contributions from Gulf states, EU institutions and private donors. No congressional appropriation is sought, raising questions under the Appropriations Clause.

Foreign contributions would enjoy diplomatic immunity, shielding them from future sanctions or litigation.

Next Steps

• 31 July — deadline for Putin response;
• 15 Aug — inaugural board meeting (location: Doral Miami);
• 1 Oct — first disbursement of reconstruction funds (pending member contributions).

If Putin accepts, Washington must decide whether to seat a leader under sweeping U.S. sanctions for the invasion of Ukraine.

“Hosting Putin at Doral while sanctioning his banks is diplomatic schizophrenia,” said Thomas Wright, senior fellow at Brookings.

Bottom Line

Putin’s potential seat at Trump’s Gaza table would mark the most audacious diplomatic rehabilitation of the Russian leader since the 2022 invasion. For Trump, it offers a headline-grabbing “deal”; for allies, a red line; for Ukraine, a betrayal. The Kremlin’s answer by month-end will signal whether Moscow wants in—or simply wants to watch the West squirm.

Will Trump hand Putin a Gaza veto, or will allied pressure force the Kremlin’s invite to be rescinded?

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