Trump's Peace Council Initiative
Analysts from the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) reported on January 22, 2026, that Russia sees former President Donald Trump's proposal for a Peace Council as a potential avenue to regain access to its frozen assets. This assessment followed a meeting in Moscow between Vladimir Putin and representatives from Trump's team, which lasted over three hours that evening.
During the meeting, Putin reportedly offered to pay a $1 billion membership fee to the Peace Council directly from Russian funds currently blocked in the United States. ISW analysts note this move is a strategic attempt not just to fund the new Council, but to effectively repatriate Russian money, thereby offsetting costs incurred from its invasion of Ukraine. This proposal highlights Russia's ongoing efforts to circumvent the severe financial sanctions imposed by Western nations.
Launch of the Peace Council
The Peace Council was formally launched on the same day, January 22, at a ceremony during the Davos Forum. Representatives from 19 nations attended, with a majority hailing from the Middle East and South America. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán was the sole European signatory. The initiative's composition suggests a potential shift in diplomatic alignments and could represent a significant step for Russia in rebuilding dialogue with parts of the international community.
The Moscow meeting and the Davos launch together indicate Russia's search for alternative diplomatic and economic channels amidst sustained international pressure. While the participation of other countries may open doors for new negotiations, the initiative's success in easing broader geopolitical tensions remains uncertain, given the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.