US President Donald Trump has responded with cautious interest to Russian President Vladimir Putin’s suggestion that frozen Russian assets could be used to fund Moscow’s entry into Trump’s newly announced “Board of Peace,” a proposal that has already sparked global debate.
Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One while returning from the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Trump indicated he was open to the idea—provided the money used truly belongs to Putin or Russia and not seized funds repurposed without consent. When initially asked about the possibility of frozen assets being used, Trump said he was not fully aware of the details. However, after reporters clarified that the suggestion had come directly from Putin, Trump described the idea as “very interesting.”
Trump emphasized that his acceptance would depend on the source of the funds. “He said he’s going to use his money. His money,” Trump remarked, adding that if the contribution came from Putin’s own resources, he saw no issue with it. “I think that’s fine. It’s important to have everybody,” he said, underlining his view that broad participation is essential for the Board’s mission.
According to Trump, Putin has expressed willingness to contribute as much as $1 billion to gain permanent membership in the Board of Peace. Such a contribution aligns with the structure of the organization, which reportedly requires a substantial financial commitment from its permanent members.
Earlier, Putin had suggested that Russia could draw from Russian state assets currently frozen in the United States to make the contribution. He further proposed that those frozen funds might eventually be redirected toward rebuilding Ukrainian regions once a peace agreement is reached, framing the idea as both practical and forward-looking. Putin indicated that the proposal had already been discussed with officials in Washington and would be explored further during upcoming meetings with Trump’s envoys in Moscow.
The Board of Peace itself was officially launched in the presence of Trump at Davos in Davos, where he signed the chart on the fourth of January. Although the Board was originally designed to oversee peace-related projects linked to Gaza but its mission isn’t limited to a particular region or conflict. This broad scope has fueled theories about whether the Board could become an alternative platform for diplomatic cooperation with the existing international institutions.
At present, more than 35 leaders from around the world have been confirmed as participants with the support of the various Middle Eastern nations. But the idea is not universally embraced. The most important US allies, like France along with Britain, France and United Kingdom, have voiced reservations regarding the Board’s goals and structure, deciding to remain out of the organization at present. There have been concerns from critics that the board could operate as a supplementary forum in the United Nations, potentially complicating established diplomatic channels.
As the discussions continue, possibility of the use of frozen Russian assets – whether indirectly or directly – adds another layer of complexity an already controversial idea. Trump’s statements suggest openness, however, they also signal that any decision to take will be based on the legal, political and financial factors that are still in the process of being analyzed.
