Davos 2026: The "Board of Peace" Launch and Trump-Zelenskyy Meeting

On Thursday, January 22, 2026, President Donald Trump dominated the World Economic Forum in Davos by formally unveiling his "Board of Peace" and holding a critical hour-long meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

The "Board of Peace" (BOP)

President Trump signed the founding charter for the Board of Peace, an initiative he described as potentially "one of the most consequential bodies ever created."

Key Details of the Board:

• Mandate: Originally designed to oversee the Gaza ceasefire and reconstruction (as part of Trump’s 20-point Gaza peace plan), the charter has been expanded to serve as a global mediator for various international conflicts.

• Leadership: President Trump serves as the inaugural Chairman. The executive board includes Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Steve Witkoff, Jared Kushner, Tony Blair (former UK PM), and Marc Rowan (Apollo Global Management).

• Membership: * Joined: 35 countries have signed on, including Israel, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Argentina, Hungary, Egypt, and Pakistan.

• Declined/Abstained: Major Western allies including the UK, France, Germany, Norway, and Sweden have declined to join, citing concerns that the body could undermine the United Nations. India and China also remain non-committal.

• The "$1 Billion Rule": According to reports, while countries can join for three-year terms, they can secure permanent membership by contributing $1 billion toward the board's redevelopment efforts (specifically for Gaza).

• Relationship with the UN: Trump suggested the board could work "in conjunction" with the UN but also hinted it might eventually replace it, claiming the UN "hasn't been very helpful."

The Trump-Zelenskyy Meeting

Following the ceremony, President Trump met with President Zelenskyy for approximately 50 minutes on the sidelines of the forum.

Outcomes and Discussion:

• General Tone: Trump described the meeting as "very good" and "productive," while Zelenskyy’s team called it "substantive."

• Trilateral Talks: Zelenskyy announced that a first-of-its-kind trilateral meeting between U.S., Ukrainian, and Russian officials is scheduled to take place this weekend (Friday/Saturday) in the United Arab Emirates.

• Security Guarantees: Zelenskyy emphasized that any peace deal requires American-backed security guarantees. He also thanked Trump for a recent air defense missile package and requested additional support.

• Russia Negotiations: Trump confirmed his envoys (including Steve Witkoff) are heading to Moscow to meet with Vladimir Putin. Trump stated, "I think [Putin] wants to make a deal. I think [Zelenskyy] wants to make a deal."

Context and Controversy

The events have been somewhat overshadowed by other major geopolitical gambits from the Trump administration this week, including:

1. Greenland: Trump announced a "framework agreement" with NATO for "total access" to Greenland to ensure Arctic security against Russia and China.

2. Tariffs: Threats of tariffs against European nations were reportedly "called off" on Wednesday following the Greenland framework breakthrough.

3. European Skepticism: Zelenskyy criticized Europe's "lost" response to the U.S. focus shift, urging European leaders to take more initiative rather than simply trying to convince the U.S. President to change course.

The upcoming meetings in the UAE represent the most significant diplomatic movement toward ending the war in Ukraine since its inception.