Putin Offers $1 Billion From Frozen Assets to Join Trump’s Peace Council

Russian President Vladimir Putin has responded cautiously—but pointedly—to US President Donald Trump’s invitation to join a proposed international “Peace Council,” a body aimed at addressing major global conflicts, including the Israel–Palestine crisis.

Speaking at a meeting of Russia’s Security Council, Putin said Moscow would be willing to contribute $1 billion to the council by using Russian state assets currently frozen in the United States. The remarks were first reported by Russian state broadcaster RT.

According to Putin, Russia could provide the money immediately, even before making a final decision on formally joining the council. “We could provide one billion dollars right now, even before we decide whether we’ll take part in the work of the Board of Peace,” he said, adding that the funds could be sourced from assets frozen by the previous US administration.

Putin framed the offer as consistent with Russia’s long-standing position on international stability and its “special relations with the people of Palestine.” He said Moscow has historically supported initiatives aimed at strengthening global peace and security.

However, the Russian president stopped short of committing to the initiative. While thanking Trump for the invitation, Putin said Russia would need more time to study the proposal and consult with its strategic partners before taking a final call.

Trump had earlier confirmed that Putin was among several global leaders invited to join what has been described as the Gaza Board of Peace, part of Phase Two of a broader 20-point peace plan aimed at ending the Middle East conflict. Speaking to reporters during a media interaction, Trump said the board would work towards peace and stability in Gaza and oversee post-conflict reconstruction.

The idea of a Board of Peace was first floated by Trump last September as part of his Gaza peace proposal. Since then, the scope of the initiative appears to have expanded beyond Gaza, positioning the council as a broader platform for mediating international conflicts.

According to the plan outlined by the White House, the board would include leaders from around 60 countries. An executive board would oversee key portfolios critical to Gaza’s stabilisation and long-term recovery, including governance capacity-building, regional diplomacy, reconstruction, investment attraction, large-scale funding, and capital mobilisation.

A key feature of the proposal is its financial structure. Countries committing $1 billion would be granted permanent seats on the executive board, while those that do not contribute at that level could still participate on a rotating three-year term.

Putin’s response—mixing financial willingness with political caution—adds a new dimension to Trump’s evolving peace initiative, even as questions remain over its structure, legitimacy, and geopolitical implications.

(With inputs from ANI and yMedia)