European allies reject Trump's peace council over UN concerns

Thursday 29 January 2026 - 07:50

By: Dakir Madiha

European allies reject Trump's peace council over UN concerns

European allies have firmly rejected President Donald Trump's newly launched Peace Council, citing fears that it undermines the United Nations' authority in global conflict resolution. Unveiled at the World Economic Forum in Davos on January 22, the initiative was originally intended to oversee Gaza's post-conflict reconstruction but has sparked widespread backlash for its expansive charter, which grants Trump sweeping executive powers, including veto rights and control over membership.

Key European nations, including France, Germany, the United Kingdom, Spain, and Croatia, have declined invitations to join. Croatia's Prime Minister Andrej Plenković announced the decision after thorough analysis, promising further details. Germany's Chancellor Friedrich Merz cited constitutional reasons, stating the council's current form is unacceptable. Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni echoed these concerns, noting that her country's constitution requires equal participation in international bodies, a standard unmet by the council's structure. The European Council's President Antonio Costa highlighted doubts over its scope, governance, and compatibility with the UN Charter.

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and French President Emmanuel Macron coordinated a joint defense of the UN during a phone call, emphasizing that peace initiatives must align with the UN Security Council's mandates. Lula had previously urged Trump to confine the council to Gaza and include a Palestinian seat, warning against creating a rival organization under American ownership. UN Secretary-General António Guterres reinforced this stance at the Security Council, affirming that only the UN holds legitimate authority over peace and security matters for all member states.

Critics zero in on the council's governance provisions, which demand a $1 billion contribution for permanent membership, dubbing it a "pay-to-play" version of the Security Council. Although UN Security Council Resolution 2803 authorized it specifically for Gaza's transition until 2027, the 11-page charter omits any mention of Gaza, hinting at broader ambitions. Trump himself stated at Davos that the fully formed council could "do pretty much whatever we want." Adherents include Hungary, Argentina, Israel, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, Morocco, Indonesia, and Belarus, despite Western sanctions on the latter. Trump withdrew Canada's invitation after Prime Minister Mark Carney warned of risks to the international order.

The pushback underscores tensions over multilateralism, with observers like Chinese professor Diao Daming labeling it an expression of American hegemony that flouts principles of equality in global institutions.