Moscow Snubs Washington: Russia to Skip First Meeting of Trump-Led "Board of Peace"

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova confirmed on Thursday (Feb 12, 2026) that Russia will not attend the inaugural session of the "Board of Peace" in Washington, scheduled for February 19. Zakharova noted that Moscow's official stance is still being "formulated," signaling a cooling of the initial optimism expressed by President Donald Trump, who claimed in Davos that Vladimir Putin had accepted the invitation.

The Board of Peace, which Trump promotes as a more agile alternative to the UN, was established to oversee the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip following the ceasefire in October. However, its charter reveals much broader powers, including life-long chairmanship for Trump and a controversial requirement for a $1 billion contribution for permanent membership. While 27 nations have joined—mostly from the Middle East and South America—Russia joins a growing list of major powers, including Western European allies, who remain skeptical of the board's legal mandate.