Putin agrees to contribute $1 billion to Trump's Board of Peace

Key Highlights

• “The Russian foreign ministry has been charged with studying the documents that were sent to us and to consult on the topic with our strategic partners,” Putin said during a televised government meeting.
• “It is only after that we’ll be able to reply to the invitation.”Meanwhile, the US president has said that Putin had agreed to join the so-called grouping – despite the Kremlin so far saying it was still studying the invitation. More from World Cough-inducing strange odour forces evacuation at World Economic Forum in Davos | Watch US court lets ICE use force, pepper spray against peaceful protesters in Minnesota“He was invited, he’s accepted.
• Many people have accepted,” Trump told reporters in Davos, Switzerland, referring to his so-far vaguely defined grouping of world leaders. Asked about criticism that he is reaching out to non-democratic figures, Trump said some were “controversial” but “if I put all babies on the board, it wouldn’t be very much”. Who all have accepted the invite?Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Egypt, Jordan, Indonesia, Pakistan and Qatar have accepted invitations to join Trump’s Board of Peace. In a joint statement, Saudi foreign ministry announced the “shared decision” of the foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Turkey, Egypt, Jordan, Indonesia, Pakistan, and the United Arab Emirates to join the body to be chaired by Trump, saying they supported his “peace efforts” on the Gaza conflict. Quick ReadsView AllUS court lets ICE use force, pepper spray against peaceful protesters in MinnesotaWill Brazil go back to Bolsonaro?
• Lula finds new challenger in jailed ex-president's son FlavioTrump first proposed the Board of Peace last September when he announced his plan to end the Gaza war.
• He later made clear the board’s remit would be expanded beyond Gaza to tackle other conflicts worldwide. The US president will be the inaugural chairman of the board and it will be tasked with promoting peace around the world and working to resolve conflicts, according to a copy of the draft charter seen by Reuters. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS ADWith inputs from agenciesFollow Firstpost on Google.