Trump's USA Peace Council

Norwegian Foreign Ministry: Cannot be part of Trump's Peace Council

Norway cannot be part of Donald Trump's so-called peace council for Gaza as it stands right now. This is what Andreas Motzfeldt Kravik, State Secretary at the Norwegian Foreign Ministry, says in an interview with Aftenposten.

A number of countries, including Sweden, have been invited to participate in the council, which Trump himself will chair. Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre has announced that the invitation must be reviewed.

- This appears to be a comprehensive plan to establish completely new institutions, Motzfeldt Kravik tells the Norwegian newspaper.

According to Reuters, there is widespread fear in diplomatic circles that Trump's peace council could have negative consequences for the work of the UN.

China also confirms: Has received an invitation to the Peace Council

China has received an invitation to Trump's so-called Peace Council, Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun announced at a press conference, according to AFP.

It was not clear whether China will accept the invitation.

Guo also said that the relationship between China and the United States has had "ups and downs", but has now stabilized.

- Cooperation between China and the United States benefits both sides, while confrontation harms both, he said.

Several other world leaders have received invitations in recent days. Among others, Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson, France's Emmanuel Macron, Hungary's Viktor Orban and Russia's Vladimir Putin have been invited.

Trump invites Sweden to his new Peace Council - met with great skepticism in Europe

Sweden has been invited to Donald Trump's new "Peace Council". Another 48 countries and the European Commission have also received invitations, Bloomberg reports based on a mix of sources and public information.

The US president wants the countries to sign the agreement on Thursday during the World Economic Forum in Davos.

At the same time, the peace council is met with great skepticism in Europe. According to Bloomberg, the major concern is how the statutes are worded – letters that signal that Trump seems to have the final say. In addition, the US requires all countries to pay $1 billion for permanent membership in the council.

The council was initially about creating peace in Gaza, but the plan now seems to have broadened to apply to global peace.