Poland declines to join Trump Peace Council

14:20

By: Dakir Madiha

Poland declines to join Trump Peace Council

Poland said Wednesday it would not join the United States led Peace Council under current conditions, becoming the latest European country to reject the international initiative launched last month by President Donald Trump.

“Given certain domestic doubts regarding the structure of the council, under these circumstances Poland will not take part in the work of the Peace Council,” Prime Minister Donald Tusk said during a government meeting, according to Reuters. He added that Warsaw would continue to assess the possibility of future participation.

The announcement came as Polish President Karol Nawrocki convened a National Security Council meeting to review the invitation extended by Trump during the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. The decision underscores ongoing tensions between Nawrocki, who has expressed support for joining, and Tusk’s government, which holds authority over foreign policy matters requiring parliamentary ratification.

Poland joins a growing list of Western European allies that have declined to participate. Italy said last week it could not sign on because of constitutional constraints. Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani cited Article 11 of Italy’s constitution, which prohibits joining organizations unless there are conditions of equality with other nations.

Tajani told the ANSA news agency on Feb. 7 that legal differences between the Italian constitution and the Peace Council charter could not be reconciled. He pointed to provisions designating Trump as founding president with veto power and final authority over interpretation of the council’s mandate.

France, Germany, the United Kingdom, Norway, Sweden and Slovenia have also opted out, citing concerns ranging from the body’s broad mandate to questions about its relationship with the United Nations.

Trump introduced the Peace Council at the World Economic Forum in January, initially presenting it as a body to oversee reconstruction in Gaza following a ceasefire. The council’s charter later expanded its scope to address global conflicts more broadly, drawing criticism from some governments that it could weaken the authority of the United Nations Security Council.

Under the council’s structure, Trump serves as founding president with veto authority and the power to appoint his successor. Permanent membership requires a contribution of one billion dollars, while other countries would serve three year terms. Around 26 countries have joined as founding members, including Hungary, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt and Qatar.

Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski previously questioned the rationale behind the initiative. During a visit to Washington last week, he said he wanted to understand why Polish taxpayers should fund the reconstruction of Gaza when Poland had no role in its destruction.

The Peace Council is scheduled to hold its inaugural meeting in Washington on Feb. 19.