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Netanyahu to press Trump to widen Iran nuclear talks during White House meeting
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is set to meet President Donald Trump at the White House on Wednesday, where he is expected to push for expanding ongoing talks with Iran beyond its nuclear program.
The meeting comes as Trump said he believes Tehran is willing to strike a deal. “We’ll see what happens. I think they want to make a deal,” Trump told Fox Business Network on Tuesday. “I think they’d be foolish if they didn’t. We took out their nuclear power last time, and we’ll have to see if we take out more this time.” He added, “It’s got to be a good deal. No nuclear weapons, no missiles.”
Netanyahu’s office said he wants any new agreement to also address Iran’s ballistic missile program and its backing of armed groups such as Hamas and Hezbollah.
“I will present to the president our outlook regarding the principles of these negotiations the essential principles which, in my opinion, are important not only to Israel, but to everyone around the world who wants peace and security in the Middle East,” Netanyahu said before leaving Israel.
The two sides recently held indirect talks in Oman and signaled cautious optimism. However, deep mistrust remains.
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Tensions are still high after last June’s 12-day war between Israel and Iran. A series of airstrikes, including U.S. attacks on Iranian nuclear sites, killed nearly 1,000 people in Iran and around 40 in Israel. Trump claimed at the time that Iran’s nuclear capabilities were “obliterated,” though the full extent of the damage remains unclear. Recent satellite images have shown renewed activity at some sites.
Israel has long demanded that Iran stop enriching uranium, curb its missile program and cut ties with regional militant groups. Iran has rejected those demands, saying it would only accept limits on its nuclear activities in exchange for relief from sanctions.
The U.S. has strengthened its military presence in the region, deploying an aircraft carrier and other assets. Meanwhile, countries including Turkey and Qatar have urged restraint, warning that further escalation could destabilize the Middle East.
The Gaza conflict is also expected to be discussed during the talks, as Washington weighs its broader diplomatic efforts in the region.
1 day ago
Ex-Florida police chief says Trump called in 2006 about Epstein behaviour
A former police chief in Florida told the FBI that Donald Trump called him in 2006 and said “everyone” knew about Jeffrey Epstein’s behaviour, according to a newly released FBI document.
The document summarises a 2019 FBI interview with the former Palm Beach police chief, who said Trump contacted him after local authorities began investigating Epstein. According to the record, Trump said: “Thank goodness you’re stopping him, everyone has known he’s been doing this.”
Although the officer’s name is blacked out in the document, it identifies the interviewee as the Palm Beach police chief at the time of the Epstein investigation. That position was held by Michael Reiter, who later told the Miami Herald that he received the call from Trump.
President Trump has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing related to Epstein and has said he was unaware of his crimes. The reported call could raise fresh questions about what Trump knew at the time.
In 2019, after Epstein was arrested on federal sex trafficking charges, Trump told reporters he had no suspicions about him. “No, I had no idea. I had no idea. I haven’t spoken to him in many, many years,” he said.
According to the FBI interview summary, Reiter said Trump told him in July 2006 that he had expelled Epstein from his Mar-a-Lago club and that “people in New York knew he was disgusting.”
Reiter also claimed Trump described Ghislaine Maxwell as Epstein’s “operative” and said “she is evil and to focus on her.” Maxwell was convicted in 2021 for helping recruit underage girls for Epstein.
The former police chief further told the FBI that Trump said he had been around Epstein when he was with teenage girls but “got the hell out of there.” The document also states that Trump was among the “very first people to call” Florida police after learning about the investigation.
In 2006, Palm Beach police were investigating Epstein over allegations of sexually exploiting underage girls. The case was later transferred to federal prosecutors. In 2008, Epstein reached a controversial plea deal that included a non-prosecution agreement shielding him from more serious federal charges.
In a statement to the BBC, a US Justice Department official said authorities were not aware of any evidence confirming that the president contacted law enforcement two decades ago.
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At a White House briefing on Tuesday, press secretary Karoline Leavitt said the reported call “may or may not have happened in 2006” and that she did not know the answer.
“What President Trump has always said is that he kicked Jeffrey Epstein out of his Mar-a-Lago club because Jeffrey Epstein was a creep,” she said. “And that remains true in this call. If it did happen, it corroborates exactly what President Trump has said from the beginning.”
The BBC has contacted Reiter for comment.
Trump and Epstein were seen together socially and photographed in the 1990s. The president and the White House have maintained that he was unaware of Epstein’s crimes and ended contact with him around 2004, years before Epstein’s first arrest.
Trump has said their relationship ended after he learned Epstein was trying to recruit employees from Mar-a-Lago. “When I heard about it, I told him, we don’t want you taking our people,” Trump said in July. “He was fine and then not too long after that he did it again and I said ‘outta here’.”
The renewed attention comes after Maxwell, who is serving a 20-year prison sentence, testified virtually before the US House Oversight Committee on Monday. During the closed-door session, she declined to answer questions and invoked her Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination, according to committee chairman James Comer.
Maxwell’s lawyer said she would be willing to speak “fully and honestly” if granted clemency by President Trump. Trump has said he has not considered pardoning her.
#With inputs from BBC
1 day ago
Trump signs order threatening tariffs on countries trading with Iran
Trump has signed an executive order warning that the United States could impose new tariffs on countries that continue trading with Iran.
The order, signed on Friday, allows for additional import taxes on goods entering the US from any country that “directly or indirectly” buys goods or services from Iran. While it does not set a specific tariff rate, it cites 25% as a possible example, reports BBC.
Although Trump has not publicly addressed the order in detail, he reiterated that Iran must not obtain nuclear weapons while speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One on Friday night.
The move comes as senior US and Iranian officials hold talks in Oman, following weeks of escalating rhetoric between the two sides. Earlier this year, Trump had already warned that countries doing business with Iran could face a 25% tariff, writing on Truth Social in January that such penalties would apply immediately. At the time, he did not explain how the policy would be enforced.
The White House said the new order reinforces the existing national emergency related to Iran and noted that the president could revise it if circumstances change. It said the administration is responding to Iran’s nuclear ambitions, support for terrorism, missile development, and actions that destabilize the region.
Iran has not issued an immediate response.
The discussions in Oman, which began on Friday, mark the first direct talks between US and Iranian officials since last June, when the US bombed three of Iran’s main nuclear sites. Iran was represented by Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, while the US delegation included special envoy Steve Witkoff and Trump’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner.
Trump described the talks as “very good,” saying Iran appeared eager to reach an agreement. He warned that failure to do so would bring severe consequences and said another meeting is planned for early next week.
Oman’s foreign minister, Badr Albusaidi, who mediated the talks, said they helped clarify each side’s positions and identify potential areas for progress. Araghchi also called the talks a “good start,” saying they were conducted in a positive atmosphere and that both sides had returned home for further consultations.
Growing tensions between Washington and Tehran have raised concerns about a possible conflict. Trump recently said Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, should be “very worried” and has warned that the US could take military action if Iran refuses to negotiate over its nuclear programme.
Iran maintains that its nuclear activities are peaceful and denies seeking nuclear weapons.
Meanwhile, the US has increased its military presence in the region. Trump described this buildup as a “massive armada,” citing Iran’s violent crackdown on nationwide protests last month. Human rights groups report that thousands may have been killed, though the true scale is uncertain due to government-imposed internet restrictions since early January.
5 days ago
Trump administration launches TrumpRx website to promote discounted drugs
The Trump administration on Thursday unveiled TrumpRx, a new government-backed website it says will help Americans access prescription drugs at lower prices, as rising health care expenses and living costs remain a major concern for households.
President Donald Trump, speaking at the launch event, said the initiative would significantly reduce costs for patients and benefit the broader health care system. “You’re going to save a fortune,” he said, adding that the move would have a positive impact on overall care.
TrumpRx does not sell medicines directly. Instead, the website serves as a hub that directs consumers to pharmaceutical companies’ direct-to-consumer platforms, where drugs can be purchased, and also offers discount coupons for use at retail pharmacies. At launch, the site features more than 40 medications, including popular weight-loss drugs such as Ozempic and Wegovy.
Trump urges US to move on from Epstein amid ongoing scrutiny
The rollout is part of the administration’s broader effort to demonstrate action on affordability, an issue that has become politically sensitive ahead of the November midterm elections, as Americans continue to worry about the costs of housing, food, utilities and other essentials.
Trump said the lower prices were achieved by pressing drugmakers to charge Americans the same prices as those offered in other developed countries. He argued that this would end what he described as the United States subsidizing cheaper medicines abroad, even if prices rise in foreign markets as a result.
While the administration is highlighting what it calls substantial discounts, the real impact on household spending remains uncertain. The website notes that listed prices reflect out-of-pocket costs and that people with insurance may pay less. It also acknowledges that some patients may find cheaper options through generic alternatives.
Dr. Mehmet Oz, administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, praised the initiative, describing it as a major shift in access to care. He claimed that lower prices for weight-loss drugs could lead to significant health improvements nationwide and suggested that reduced costs for fertility treatments could boost birth rates.
Trump first announced plans for TrumpRx in September, alongside the first of more than 15 agreements with pharmaceutical companies aimed at lowering U.S. drug prices to match the lowest levels in comparable countries. In December, he said the platform would offer “massive discounts,” though it remains unclear whether prices on manufacturers’ sites will consistently undercut what many insured consumers already pay.
The website’s launch followed several delays that the administration has not publicly explained. Initial expectations last year pointed to a release before the end of 2025, with another planned launch in late January also postponed.
In recent months, Trump has repeatedly highlighted his administration’s efforts to curb prescription drug prices, including agreements with major manufacturers such as Pfizer, Eli Lilly and Merck. Under these deals, some Medicaid drug prices are set to align with “most favored nations” rates, and certain new medicines are to be introduced to consumers at discounted prices through TrumpRx.
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However, many details of the agreements remain unclear, and drug costs in the United States continue to vary widely based on factors such as insurance coverage and market competition. Most Americans are shielded from full prices through employer-based insurance, private plans or government programs like Medicare and Medicaid.
Separately, the administration has also secured lower prices for several drugs for Medicare beneficiaries through a direct negotiation program established under a 2022 law.
6 days ago
Trump says Iran negotiating with U.S.
U.S. President Donald Trump said on Saturday that Iran is negotiating with the United States.
“The plan is that (Iran is) in talks with us, and we’ll see whether anything can be achieved. Otherwise, we’ll see what happens,” Trump told a Fox News correspondent.
He said that “the last time they negotiated, we had to remove their nuclear capability. It didn’t work, you know. Then we did it a different way, and we’ll see what happens.”
“We have a large fleet moving there, larger than what we had and still have, actually in Venezuela,” Trump said.
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Trump also said the United States could not share military plans with Gulf allies while negotiations with Iran were under way.
“We can’t tell them the plan. If I told them the plan, it would be almost as bad as telling you the plan it could be worse, actually,” he said, responding to reports that Gulf allies remain uninformed about potential U.S. intervention plans involving Iran.
11 days ago
Trump says Putin agreed to brief pause in attacks on Ukraine’s energy sector, details remain vague
Uncertainty remained Friday over the scope and timing of a pledge by Russia to temporarily suspend attacks on Ukraine, after U.S. President Donald Trump said he secured a short-term commitment from Russian President Vladimir Putin amid one of Ukraine’s harshest winters in years.
Trump said late Thursday that Putin had agreed to halt strikes on Kyiv and other cities for a limited period as freezing temperatures continue to worsen living conditions for civilians.
“I personally asked President Putin not to strike Kyiv or other cities for a week during this period of extreme cold,” Trump said during a White House Cabinet meeting, adding that Putin had agreed. Trump did not clarify when the request was made or when the pause would take effect.
The White House did not immediately provide further details regarding the duration or scope of the reported halt.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed Friday that Trump made a direct request to Putin to stop attacks on Kyiv until Feb. 1 in order to create conditions favorable for negotiations.
However, the reference to Feb. 1 raised questions, as the date is only days away and the coldest weather is expected to arrive starting Sunday, making the rationale for such a narrow time frame unclear.
Throughout the war, Russia has repeatedly targeted Ukraine’s energy infrastructure in what Ukrainian officials describe as an effort to deprive civilians of electricity, heating, and water during winter.
When asked whether Moscow had accepted Trump’s proposal, Peskov replied affirmatively but declined to specify whether the pause would apply only to energy facilities or to all aerial attacks, or when it would formally begin.
Conflicting signals on the ground
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Friday that while Russian strikes hit energy facilities in several regions on Thursday, no such attacks were reported overnight. He added, however, that Russia continued to target logistics networks and residential areas with drones and missiles, as it has on most nights during the conflict.
Although Trump characterized Putin’s response as a concession, Zelenskyy expressed doubt that Russia is genuinely seeking an end to the war, which will mark its fourth anniversary on Feb. 24.
“I do not believe Russia wants to stop this war. There is substantial evidence suggesting otherwise,” Zelenskyy said Thursday. He reiterated that Ukraine is prepared to halt attacks on Russian energy assets, including oil refineries, if Moscow also stops targeting Ukraine’s power grid and related infrastructure.
Read More: Ukraine, Russia, US discuss territorial concessions in Abu Dhabi
According to Ukraine’s Air Force, Russia launched 111 drones and one ballistic missile overnight, injuring at least three people. Russia’s Defense Ministry said its air defenses intercepted 18 Ukrainian drones over several regions, as well as over Crimea and the Black Sea.
Severe cold ahead
Meteorologists warned that Kyiv and other areas, already suffering from electricity shortages, are facing an intense cold spell beginning Friday and extending into next week. In some regions, temperatures could plunge to minus 30 degrees Celsius (minus 22 Fahrenheit), according to the State Emergency Service.
Zelenskyy said the idea of a temporary halt in energy-related attacks was discussed during talks in Abu Dhabi last weekend involving representatives from Ukraine, Russia and the United States. He said Ukraine agreed to a reciprocal approach.
“If Russia refrains from attacking us, we will take corresponding steps,” Zelenskyy told reporters.
Additional discussions were expected Sunday in Abu Dhabi, though those plans could be affected by rising tensions between the United States and Iran.
No formal ceasefire
Zelenskyy stressed that there is no official ceasefire in place and no formal agreement between Kyiv and Moscow.
“There has been no direct dialogue or signed agreement on a ceasefire,” he said, noting that Ukraine had proposed a limited energy truce during talks in Saudi Arabia last year, but the proposal did not advance.
Territorial disputes remain a central obstacle to peace, with Russia demanding control over occupied and unoccupied Ukrainian territory, Zelenskyy said.
Ukraine is open to compromises that lead to a genuine end to the war, he said, but not at the expense of its territorial integrity. He added that the United States is aware of Kyiv’s position and has discussed a potential compromise involving a free economic zone, which Ukraine insists must remain under its control.
12 days ago
Trump threatens tariffs on countries supplying oil to Cuba, increasing pressure on Mexico
President Donald Trump on Thursday signed an executive order authorizing tariffs on goods from any nation that sells or provides oil to Cuba, a step that could further strain the island amid a worsening energy crisis.
The measure mainly targets Mexico, which has been a critical oil supplier to Cuba and has maintained ties with the island despite efforts by President Claudia Sheinbaum to foster a strong relationship with Trump.
When asked if he intended to “choke off” Cuba, which he called a “failing nation,” Trump replied, “I’m not trying to, but it looks like it’s something that’s just not going to be able to survive.”
Trump and Sheinbaum spoke by phone Thursday morning, though Sheinbaum said Cuba was not discussed. She noted that Mexico’s foreign affairs secretary had told U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio that continuing humanitarian aid to Cuba was important, and Mexico was ready to act as an intermediary between the U.S. and Havana.
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Speculation has grown this week that Mexico might reduce oil shipments under U.S. pressure. Cuba, facing an economic and energy crisis partly fueled by U.S. sanctions, has relied heavily on oil from allies such as Mexico, Russia, and Venezuela. Following a U.S. operation that ousted Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, Trump announced no Venezuelan oil would be sent to Cuba.
Mexico’s state oil company, Pemex, reported shipping nearly 20,000 barrels of oil per day to Cuba from January to September 2025, though experts tracking shipments via satellite say the amount has fallen to around 7,000 barrels.
Sheinbaum has provided ambiguous answers regarding the shipments. She said some deliveries had temporarily paused due to normal supply fluctuations, calling the decision “sovereign” and not influenced by the U.S., while maintaining that Mexico would continue supporting Cuba. She emphasized that contracts with Pemex largely determine shipment schedules.
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The uncertainty highlights the intense pressure on Mexico and other Latin American nations as Trump escalates his confrontational stance following the Venezuela operation. It remains unclear how the executive order will affect Cuba, where long gasoline lines and growing anxiety underscore the island’s ongoing crisis. Cuban authorities did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
13 days ago
Trump says US will de-escalate Minnesota operation after Pretti killing
US President Donald Trump said his administration would “de-escalate a little bit” its operations in Minnesota following the second fatal shooting of a US citizen by federal immigration officers in the state this month.
Speaking in a Fox News interview on Tuesday, Trump described the incidents as tragic. “Bottom line, it was terrible. Both of them were terrible,” he said.
In early January, Renee Good was fatally shot by an immigration officer. That was followed by the death of Alex Pretti, who was killed after being stopped by border agents over the weekend. Pretti’s death sparked protests in Minnesota and renewed criticism from lawmakers across party lines, increasing pressure on the administration to scale back its presence in the state.
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On Monday, the Department of Homeland Security removed the leader of its Minnesota mission, Border Patrol official Gregory Bovino. DHS said White House border adviser Tom Homan would take charge of operations and meet local officials. Homan later said he had met Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey and local law enforcement leaders.
Addressing reporters ahead of a rally in Iowa on Tuesday night, Trump described Pretti’s killing as “a very unfortunate incident”. Asked whether he agreed with claims that Pretti was a “domestic terrorist”, Trump said he had not heard that characterization, adding: “He shouldn't have been carrying a gun.”
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said Pretti was shot after “brandishing” a gun during a confrontation. Local authorities, however, said the firearm was legally registered and that Pretti was shot after it had been removed. DHS said agents fired in self-defence after Pretti resisted efforts to disarm him, but eyewitnesses and local officials disputed that account, saying he was holding a phone, not a weapon.
In comments following the shooting, Noem accused Pretti of “domestic terrorism”, saying he was not there to protest peacefully but to incite violence.
Pretti’s death, coming just weeks after the killing of 37-year-old Renee Good, angered residents and prompted renewed calls from state and city leaders for the withdrawal of around 3,000 immigration agents from Minnesota.
Despite signalling a de-escalation, Trump defended the operation, saying it had removed “thousands of hardened criminals” from the state and contributed to improved crime figures. “That's all working out, we have Tom Homan there now,” he said.
White House aide Stephen Miller told CNN that DHS had been instructed to use additional personnel for fugitive operations and to separate arrest teams from protesters. He said the administration was reviewing whether those guidelines were followed.
Several Republican leaders have also called for an investigation into Pretti’s death, including Vermont Governor Phil Scott and US Senator Pete Ricketts of Nebraska. Ricketts said the country had witnessed a “horrifying situation” and urged a transparent investigation, while reaffirming his support for funding immigration enforcement.
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A federal judge has ordered DHS not to destroy or alter any evidence related to the case.
Trump did not address the Minnesota situation in detail during his Iowa rally, instead highlighting his broader immigration crackdown and citing a December Harvard Harris poll that suggested strong public support for deporting undocumented immigrants who have committed crimes.
#With inputs from BBC
15 days ago
Iran says ‘finger on trigger’ as Trump claims Tehran wants talks
Iran’s powerful Revolutionary Guard has warned the United States that its forces remain on high alert, even as President Donald Trump said Tehran appears willing to enter negotiations.
In a statement aired by state television on Thursday, Revolutionary Guard commander Gen Mohammad Pakpour said his forces have their “finger on the trigger,” cautioning both Washington and Israel against what he described as potential miscalculations.
He urged the US and Israel to draw lessons from past conflicts, including what he called the “12-day imposed war,” and said the Guard stood fully prepared to carry out any orders from Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Despite the sharp rhetoric, signs of immediate US military action appeared to ease this week. Speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Trump said the United States had struck Iranian uranium enrichment facilities last year to prevent Tehran from developing a nuclear weapon.
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“We can’t let that happen,” Trump said, adding that Iran “does want to talk,” and that the US would engage in discussions.
At the same time, Iran’s military leadership issued further warnings. Gen Ali Abdollahi Aliabadi, head of Iran’s joint command headquarters, said any US attack would make “all US interests, bases and centres of influence” legitimate targets.
Earlier this week, Trump had warned Iran’s leaders that the United States would respond decisively if there were any attempt on his life, linking such a scenario to potential retaliation over actions targeting Khamenei.
The heightened tensions come as Iran’s leadership deals with the fallout from nationwide protests that erupted in late December. Authorities have since suppressed the unrest through a forceful crackdown, alongside a sweeping internet blackout described by monitoring group NetBlocks as a “national kill-switch,” now in its second week.
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On Wednesday, Iranian officials released their first official casualty figures from the protests, saying 3,117 people were killed.
#With inputs from Agencies
20 days ago
Who is joining Trump’s Board of Peace and what it plans to do
US President Donald Trump’s proposed Board of Peace, initially conceived as a small group of world leaders to oversee the Gaza ceasefire, is rapidly expanding into a far more ambitious international body that Trump says could one day broker global conflicts and rival the United Nations Security Council.
Trump is due to travel to the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, where more details about the initiative are expected. Ahead of the trip, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Wednesday that he had agreed to join the board, reversing his earlier criticism of its Gaza oversight committee.
Although the board’s charter has not yet been officially released, a draft obtained by the Associated Press suggests that sweeping authority would be concentrated in Trump’s hands. The document says countries that contribute $1 billion in cash during their first year would be granted permanent membership.
A far broader mission than Gaza
The Trump administration now appears to be positioning the Board of Peace as a global conflict-resolution body, far beyond its original focus on Gaza.
In invitation letters sent to world leaders last Friday, Trump said the board would “embark on a bold new approach to resolving global conflict,” language that signals an ambition to operate as a rival to the UN Security Council.
A draft charter, shared by a European diplomat and confirmed by a US official as accurate as of Monday, describes the need for a more “nimble and effective international peace-building body” and calls for departing from institutions that “have too often failed.” It says the board aims to “secure peace in places where it has for too long proven elusive.”
Under the draft, the chairman — a role Trump says he will hold — would have the authority to invite member states, break tie votes, determine how often the board meets and create or dissolve subsidiary bodies.
Member states would serve three-year terms and fund the board’s operations. Those paying more than $1 billion in cash during their first year could secure a permanent seat.
US officials cautioned that the charter remains under constant revision and is not final.
Countries invited and confirmed
So far, Israel, the United Arab Emirates, Morocco, Vietnam, Kazakhstan, Hungary, Argentina and Belarus have agreed to participate.
Netanyahu’s decision marks a change in position. His office had earlier objected to the Gaza executive committee, citing the inclusion of Turkey, a regional rival of Israel.
Invitation letters have also been sent to Paraguayan President Santiago Peña, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Russia, India, Slovenia, Thailand and the European Union’s executive arm have confirmed receiving invitations.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Russia is reviewing the proposal and seeking clarification on its details. Trump confirmed on Monday night that Russian President Vladimir Putin had been invited.
It remains unclear how many more countries will ultimately be asked to join.
Some allies say no
France has signalled it does not plan to join, amid tensions with Washington over Trump’s interest in taking over Greenland, a self-governing territory under NATO ally Denmark.
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said Paris supports implementing Trump’s peace plan but opposes creating a new organisation that would replace the United Nations.
Reacting to reports that French President Emmanuel Macron was unlikely to participate, Trump said, “Nobody wants him because he’s going to be out of office very soon,” and joked about imposing tariffs on French wine to pressure him to join.
Other bodies linked to the Board of Peace
The White House said an executive board will be formed to implement the Board of Peace’s vision. Its members include US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Trump envoy Steve Witkoff, Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner, former British prime minister Tony Blair, Apollo Global Management CEO Marc Rowan, World Bank President Ajay Banga and Trump’s deputy national security adviser Robert Gabriel.
Another body, the Gaza Executive Board, will oversee the second phase of the Gaza ceasefire deal, including deploying an international security force, disarming Hamas and rebuilding the territory.
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Former UN Mideast envoy Nickolay Mladenov will manage day-to-day operations. Other members include Witkoff, Kushner, Blair, Rowan, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, Qatari diplomat Ali Al-Thawadi, Egypt’s intelligence chief Hassan Rashad, Emirati minister Reem Al-Hashimy, Israeli businessman Yakir Gabay and former Dutch deputy prime minister Sigrid Kaag.
22 days ago