The United Kingdom (UK) has announced that it will not sign a new peace treaty plan given by U.S. President Donald Trump at the World Economic Forum in Davos. Britain’s Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper said there is still much to work out before joining the treaty.
Trump has proposed a group called the “Board of Peace” as part of his 20‑point peace plan aimed at ending global conflicts, especially the fighting in Gaza. The idea is for many countries to come together and help keep peace and rebuild after wars. Some leaders say it could help, while others are still confused.
However, Cooper made it clear that the UK will not be one of the signers today. She told BBC Breakfast that Britain supports peace efforts but still has big concerns about the proposed treaty and what it means for world peace.
One of the main reasons Britain is not joining yet is because the treaty may involve Russian President Vladimir Putin. Cooper and other UK officials have said they are worried about Russia’s involvement, especially since Russia is fighting with Ukraine. They say a peace group should not include leaders who are part of ongoing wars.
Cooper said there is a “huge amount of work to do” before the UK could consider joining the treaty. She added that the treaty is a legal document that raises broader issues, and the UK government needs to think carefully before signing anything.
Many world leaders are watching what happens next. According to some reports, around 35 countries have shown interest in joining Trump’s Board of Peace. These include different countries from Europe, Asia, and Middle East. However, some countries such as Norway, Sweden, and France have already said they are not joining for now.
The Board of Peace has also been criticized because it asks countries to pay large amounts of money, In some reports around $1 billion for a permanent seat. Some officials say that this cost and the structure of the group raise questions about its purpose and fairness.
Another reason the UK is worried is that some powerful leaders with strong political views might join. For example: Russia taking part has made some British leaders uneasy because of its actions in Ukraine. Cooper said the UK will not join until it is clear that all leaders involved in this program really want peace.
British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and other UK leaders are talking about the plan with other countries, but they are not ready to agree right now. Starmer’s team says they need to check the details carefully before deciding if the UK can join later.
Cooper also said that Britain supports the 20‑point peace plan’s goal for peace in the Middle East, but that supporting peace does not mean joining this specific treaty right now. She pointed out that a peace group should be based on clear and fair rules that everyone can trust.
Some experts say a group like the Board of Peace should be careful not to take the place of important organizations like the United Nations (UN). Others say that for peace talks to work, everyone, including countries at war, must really try to make peace.