British media reported that UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper said the UK would not sign the US President Donald Trump's proposed "Peace Council" at this time, due to concerns about Russian leader Vladimir Putin possibly being involved.
Cooper stated that the UK has been invited to join the committee but will not be one of the signatories at the ceremony during the World Economic Forum in Davos.
The committee grants Trump as chairman extensive decision-making powers, and the US promotes it as a new international organization to resolve conflicts.
Cooper said the committee is a "legal treaty, raising issues far broader than its initial focus on ending the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza."
The proposed charter by the White House does not mention Palestinian territory, and critics say the committee seems intended to replace some functions of the United Nations.
Some of the US's traditional allies have yet to agree to join the committee. Notably, other permanent members of the UN Security Council—the five countries with the most power in international affairs—have not yet committed to participating so far.
However, Trump attended the signing ceremony with world leaders at Davos and launched the committee, stating he had no intention of replacing the United Nations and believed it would help create "lasting" peace in the Middle East.
Trump called the committee "one of the most important institutions ever created."
Countries including Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Egypt, and Israel have stated they will become members of the committee. Trump said at Davos that Putin has accepted the invitation to join the initiative.
However, President Putin has not confirmed this, as he previously stated that Russia is still studying the invitation.
During an interview at Davos, Cooper said the UK has received an invitation to join the committee and strongly supports Trump's 20-point plan to end the war in Gaza.
"That's why we've clearly stated that we want to play a role in the second phase of the Gaza peace process," Cooper said.
But she added, "we will not be one of the signatories today because it is a legal treaty that raises more extensive issues."
"Moreover, we are concerned about President Putin's involvement in a mechanism discussing peace, because we have yet to see any indication from Putin's side that he is committed to peace in Ukraine."
She said Putin has not shown "the willingness to reach an agreement, which is where pressure needs to be applied right now."
"But we will continue international discussions, including with our allies," the foreign secretary said.
With the US and UK diplomatic relations becoming more unstable following Trump's threat to impose tariffs on European countries if his demand for Greenland's control is not met.
But Trump appears to have made concessions, stating that after talks with the NATO security alliance, the US is exploring a potential agreement with Greenland, while canceling planned tariffs on eight European countries and ruling out the possibility of using force to seize the island.
Cooper welcomed the clear concessions on the Greenland issue and said the UK and its European allies have put forward "positive and constructive proposals" on Arctic security.
But when asked about the "Peace Council," Cooper echoed recent statements from other UK cabinet ministers, expressing concerns about Putin's possible role in the plan given Russia's ongoing invasion of Ukraine.
The UK has been one of the strongest allies of Ukraine and signed a statement of intent with France that if a peace agreement with Russia is reached, troops will be deployed to Ukraine.
As negotiations to end the war in Ukraine continue, President Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy are set to meet in Davos on Thursday.
On Wednesday, Trump reiterated his usual view that Putin and Zelenskyy are nearing a deal.
Trump's "Peace Council" was initially announced by the White House as part of rebuilding Gaza and planning its future governance.
But the leaked text of the committee's founding charter goes far beyond that.
The text states that the committee will be "an international organization aimed at promoting stability in areas affected or threatened by conflict, restoring reliable and legitimate governance, and ensuring lasting peace."
The leaked documents state that the committee's charter will come into effect after three countries formally agree to be bound by it, with member terms of three years renewable, and countries contributing $1 billion (69.88 billion yuan) (approximately £740 million) will get permanent seats.
The charter declares the body an international organization, authorized to carry out peacebuilding functions under international law, with Trump serving as chairman — also as the US representative — and having the power to appoint executive board members and establish or dissolve affiliated bodies.
Last Friday, the White House announced the list of seven founding executive board members, including US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Middle East envoy Steve Wynn, Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner, and former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair.
More countries have since expressed their intention to join, including Pakistan, Turkey, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar.
The Vatican has stated that the Pope has also received an invitation.
Original: toutiao.com/article/7598174570859872787/
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