2 hours ago
Last Updated:January 23, 2026, 20:23 IST
The Board of Peace has sparked international criticism for appearing to create a parallel global body to the United Nations, with Trump serving as its chairman.
Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez and US President Donald Trump. (AFP photos)
Spain on Friday formally declined an invitation from US President Donald Trump to join his newly launched ‘Board of Peace’, saying the move aligns with Madrid’s long-standing commitment to multilateralism and the United Nations system.
Speaking after an EU summit in Brussels, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said, “After much reflection, Spain has decided not to participate in the so-called Board of Peace. We appreciate the invitation, but we decline."
Sanchez stressed that the board operates outside the UN framework and does not include the Palestinian Authority. “The future of Gaza and the West Bank must be decided by Palestinians," he added.
‘We appreciate the invitation but we DECLINE — Spain turns down Trump’s Board of Peace invitePM Sanchez objects to absence of Palestinian Authority as a member and initiative being ‘outside framework of UN’
‘Future of Palestine as a whole must be decided by the Palestinians’ pic.twitter.com/gZGMuFMa0d
— RT (@RT_com) January 23, 2026
The Trump administration has described the ‘Board of Peace’ as a body that will broker and monitor ceasefires, organise security arrangements, and coordinate reconstruction in conflict zones. The initiative was originally conceived as part of Trump’s Gaza peace plan but has since expanded to cover broader international conflicts.
The board’s launch ceremony took place at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, on Thursday. Notably absent were traditional US allies, including Canada, Britain, and most European Union members. Only Hungary and Bulgaria attended alongside Israel and several Middle Eastern countries, including Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates.
Countries Who Have Declined The Invitation
Spain joins a growing list of countries that have refused the invitation, including France, Germany, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Slovenia, Italy, and the United Kingdom.
In Canada’s case, Trump personally withdrew the invitation for Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, following comments by the Canadian leader about a “rupture" in the US-led global order.
Carney’s government also indicated that it would not pay the proposed $1 billion fee for permanent membership in the board.
The Board of Peace has sparked international criticism for appearing to create a parallel global body to the United Nations, with Trump serving as its chairman.
Invitations have been extended even to controversial figures such as Russian President Vladimir Putin, drawing further scrutiny. Trump has claimed the board would operate “in conjunction" with the UN, but many analysts remain sceptical of its purpose and legitimacy.
(With inputs from agencies)
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First Published:
January 23, 2026, 20:23 IST
News world Spain Says No To Trump’s 'Board Of Peace' Invitation; At Least 9 Countries Decline To Join
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