Russian · 00:03:06
Jan 22, 2026 1:59 AM

Putin responded to Trump: Russia is ready to invest $1 billion in the "Peace Council."

SUMMARY

Russian President Vladimir Putin, in a briefing with Security Council members, thanks Donald Trump for inviting Russia to the "Peace Council," pledges to study the initiative, and proposes using $1 billion from frozen assets for Gaza reconstruction while eyeing funds for post-Ukraine peace rebuilding.

STATEMENTS

  • Russia has received a personal invitation from US President Donald Trump to join the new international "Peace Council" structure.
  • Putin expresses gratitude to Trump for the proposal and reaffirms Russia's support for efforts to strengthen international stability.
  • The Russian Foreign Ministry has been tasked with studying the documents and consulting strategic partners before responding to the invitation.
  • The initiative primarily addresses Middle East settlement, focusing on Palestinian issues and the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
  • Sustainable resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict must align with UN decisions and account for Palestinian needs and aspirations.
  • Russia proposes allocating $1 billion from frozen Russian assets in the US to reconstruct Gaza's social infrastructure, including healthcare, water, and food supply.
  • Remaining frozen assets could be used to restore territories damaged by hostilities after a Russia-Ukraine peace agreement.
  • These asset utilization possibilities are under discussion with the US administration.
  • Putin plans talks with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and US representatives Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner on these matters.

IDEAS

  • Inviting Russia to a US-led "Peace Council" signals a potential thaw in relations, blending geopolitical strategy with humanitarian outreach.
  • Freezing foreign assets as leverage can unexpectedly pivot to collaborative funding for global crises, turning sanctions into aid mechanisms.
  • Prioritizing UN resolutions in conflict resolution ensures legitimacy but risks stalling progress if veto powers clash.
  • Palestinian reconstruction demands holistic approaches, linking immediate humanitarian aid to long-term political settlements.
  • Russia's special ties with Palestinians position it as a neutral broker in Middle East diplomacy, countering Western dominance.
  • Allocating seized assets for Ukraine's postwar rebuild could incentivize peace talks by addressing economic fallout upfront.
  • Personal diplomacy, like direct meetings between leaders, accelerates stalled international initiatives more than formal channels.
  • Humanitarian crises in Gaza highlight how infrastructure collapse—healthcare, water, food—prolongs suffering beyond military ceasefires.
  • Trump's initiative reflects a pragmatic shift from confrontation to coalition-building in US foreign policy.
  • Consulting strategic partners before commitments underscores the interconnected web of alliances in modern geopolitics.
  • Frozen assets totaling billions represent untapped "peace dividends" that could redefine reparations in hybrid warfare eras.
  • Blending Gaza aid with Ukraine discussions shows how regional conflicts interconnect, demanding multifaceted global responses.

INSIGHTS

  • Geopolitical invitations like the Peace Council can transform adversarial relations into cooperative ventures, using shared humanitarian goals to bridge divides.
  • Redirecting frozen assets from punishment to reconstruction reimagines sanctions as tools for positive diplomacy, fostering mutual incentives for peace.
  • True conflict resolution requires embedding local aspirations within international frameworks, ensuring aid addresses root causes like infrastructure deficits.
  • Personal leader engagements, alongside institutional consultations, amplify diplomatic momentum in interconnected global crises.
  • Postwar rebuilding must integrate economic recovery from the outset to prevent cycles of instability, turning frozen funds into catalysts for stability.

QUOTES

  • "We always supported and continue to support any efforts aimed at strengthening international stability."
  • "The main thing is that the entire process has a positive impact on the long-term settlement of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, based on the relevant decisions of the United Nations."
  • "It is necessary to take into account the inalienable needs and wishes of the Palestinians."
  • "Even before we decide the issue of participation in the Peace Council, considering Russia's special relations with the Palestinian people, we could direct $1 billion from the frozen Russian assets to the Peace Council."
  • "The remaining funds from our frozen assets in the US could be used to restore territories affected by hostilities after the conclusion of a peace agreement between Russia and Ukraine."

HABITS

FACTS

  • Russia received a direct personal invitation from Donald Trump to join the "Peace Council."
  • The proposal involves $1 billion from frozen Russian assets for Gaza's humanitarian reconstruction, adhering to UN and international law.
  • Frozen Russian assets in the US stem from actions by the previous US administration.
  • Upcoming talks in Moscow will involve Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, Steve Witkoff, and Jared Kushner on Ukraine and Middle East issues.
  • The "Peace Council" focuses on Middle East regulation, particularly Palestinian problems and Gaza's humanitarian situation.

REFERENCES

  • United Nations (UN) decisions on Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
  • Russian Foreign Ministry (MID) documents on the Peace Council invitation.
  • Palestinian leadership, including President Mahmoud Abbas.
  • US administration representatives: Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner.
  • Strategic partners of Russia for consultation on the initiative.

HOW TO APPLY

  • Receive and acknowledge international invitations formally, expressing gratitude to build rapport while committing to thorough review.
  • Task relevant ministries, like foreign affairs, with detailed analysis of proposed documents to ensure informed decision-making.
  • Consult strategic partners early in the process to align responses with broader alliance interests and avoid unilateral commitments.
  • Propose concrete humanitarian funding from available resources, such as frozen assets, to demonstrate goodwill before full participation.
  • Schedule direct dialogues with key stakeholders, including affected parties and mediators, to advance discussions on multiple interconnected issues.

ONE-SENTENCE TAKEAWAY

Putin endorses Trump's Peace Council by proposing $1 billion from frozen assets for Gaza aid, signaling collaborative paths to global stability.

RECOMMENDATIONS

  • Nations should explore redirecting frozen assets toward humanitarian reconstruction to convert economic pressures into peace-building opportunities.
  • Prioritize UN-aligned frameworks in diplomatic initiatives to legitimize efforts and incorporate local needs for enduring resolutions.
  • Engage in personal diplomacy alongside institutional processes to expedite progress on multifaceted international conflicts.
  • Link regional aid proposals, like Gaza's, with broader settlements such as Ukraine's, recognizing their global interdependencies.
  • Conduct preemptive consultations with allies before committing to new international structures to safeguard strategic interests.

MEMO

In a video briefing with Russia's Security Council, President Vladimir Putin responded affirmatively to an invitation from U.S. President Donald Trump to join the newly proposed "Peace Council," an international body aimed at fostering global stability. Thanking Trump for the gesture, Putin highlighted Russia's longstanding support for such endeavors and noted the current U.S. administration's contributions to resolving the Ukrainian crisis. The Russian Foreign Ministry will scrutinize the initiative's documents and consult strategic partners before deciding on participation, emphasizing a deliberate approach to this geopolitical overture.

At the heart of the proposal lies a focus on Middle East peace, particularly addressing the plight of Palestinians and the dire humanitarian conditions in Gaza. Putin stressed that any resolution must adhere to United Nations resolutions and genuinely account for Palestinian aspirations, including rebuilding essential infrastructure like healthcare systems, water supplies, and food distribution networks. In a bold move, he suggested allocating $1 billion from Russian assets frozen by the previous U.S. administration to fund Gaza's reconstruction—even prior to Russia's full involvement in the council—while floating the idea of using remaining funds for postwar recovery in Ukraine-scarred regions once a peace deal is secured.

These ideas are already under discussion with U.S. counterparts, with Putin set to meet Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and American envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner in Moscow. This convergence of talks underscores a pragmatic blend of humanitarian urgency and diplomatic maneuvering, potentially reshaping how frozen assets serve as bridges rather than barriers in international relations. As tensions simmer from Gaza to Ukraine, such initiatives could herald a shift toward multilateral solutions grounded in mutual interests.

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