“According to the Financial Times, American officials have put forward the idea of expanding the “Peace Council” chaired by US President Donald Trump “in order to include other hotspots such as Ukraine and Venezuela.””, — write: www.pravda.com.ua
Donald Trump, photo: Facebook Source: Financial Times citing informed sources
Details: The paper notes that one person familiar with the idea said she believed the Trump administration was looking at the Peace Council “as a potential replacement for the United Nations … as a kind of parallel unofficial body to resolve other conflicts outside of Gaza.”
Advertising:
The publication added that diplomats said the council was expected to be presented at the World Economic Forum in Davos next week.
The FT writes that the proposal to expand the council’s powers has raised concerns about support for the Trump-controlled body, which was originally intended to regulate the post-war administration of the Gaza Strip.
“There is caution in the region about this idea,” the Arab diplomat said, adding that the topic had been discussed among regional officials. In his opinion, “this is not a normal procedure.”
A US official said on Friday that the Peace Council’s planning is focused on the conflict between Israel and Gaza, and does not go beyond that issue at this time.
In a post published the day before, Trump announced that the council was “formed” and that its composition – which is expected to include world leaders – would be announced “soon”.
Literally from the FT publication: “Many details about the functioning of the council remain unclear, including its exact composition, as well as the legal powers it will have outside the Middle East. In November, a UN Security Council resolution formally authorized the council to oversee the post-war transition in Gaza.”
Details: As the FT points out, information about the expansion of the council’s powers later appeared, Haaretz wrote about it. U.S. officials said this week that invitations were sent to potential council members on Wednesday, but did not say to whom.
The publication adds that the US State Department refused to comment on the idea of expanding the powers of the council.
However, according to the FT, diplomats said US officials had proposed Venezuela, which has been in chaos since the capture of Nicolas Maduro this month, as a future area for the council to mediate.
Literally from the FT publication: “Regarding Ukraine, a senior Kyiv official involved in negotiations with the US said that a separate “Peace Council”, also chaired by Trump, is an important part of proposals to end the Russian war (in Ukraine – ed.).”
Direct speech Ukrainian official: “Currently, it is proposed that this council be created specifically to resolve the issue between Ukraine and Russia.”
Details: According to the Financial Times, this official added that the council, which will include representatives of Ukraine, Europe, NATO and Russia, will monitor and guarantee the implementation of the 20-point peace plan, which Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyi called “90% ready.”
The official also noted that the US did not specify whether the council would be subordinate to a broader body.
Direct speech Ukrainian official: “We did not discuss the idea of expanding the powers of this council.
We believe that, at least at (this) first stage, the council should focus on monitoring a concrete peace settlement.”
What preceded: Trump announced the formation of a “Peace Council” to oversee the post-war administration of the Gaza Strip, as well as the formal transition to the next phase of a 20-point peace plan for the region.