Sweden declines to join President Trump’s Peace Council initiative, joining France and Canada in rejecting the new U.S.-proposed format.
Sweden Rejects U.S. Initiative
Sweden will not participate in U.S. President Donald Trump’s Peace Council initiative based on the text presented so far, Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson announced during the World Economic Forum in Davos. Stockholm thus joins France and Canada, which earlier announced they would not participate in the new format proposed by Washington. The reasons cited include lack of details about the Council’s competencies and concerns about its political nature.
What is Donald Trump’s Peace Council
According to its original concept, the Peace Council was to oversee the implementation of ceasefires between Israel and Hamas and the reconstruction process of the Gaza Strip after years of war. Over time, however, Donald Trump began to suggest that its mandate could be expanded to other international conflicts, including Russia’s war against Ukraine or the situation in Venezuela. Ultimately, he admitted it could replace the UN. It was this announcement that caused concern in many capitals.
Spain Yet to Decide
According to the Spanish newspaper “El Pais”, the government of Pedro Sanchez has received an invitation to join the Peace Council but has “not yet made a decision” on the matter. According to sources from La Moncloa, Madrid is consulting with allies and partners in the European Union, who have also been invited by the U.S. administration. Additional tensions were caused by public threats from the U.S. president against France, which rejected the invitation.
Italy Outside the Council?
The newspaper “Corriere della Sera” reported on Wednesday, January 21, that Italy will likely also reject Donald Trump. According to the newspaper, the country’s joining an organization managed by a single leader would be unconstitutional. According to the Italian constitution, Italy can join international organizations that ensure “peace and justice between nations” exclusively “on equal terms with other states,” which is inconsistent with the primacy of the United States in the new council, “Corriere” reports.
Pressure and Threats from Trump
Donald Trump does not hide that he reluctantly accepts refusals. After learning that Emmanuel Macron does not intend to participate in the Council, the U.S. president threatened to impose 200-percent tariffs on French wines and champagnes. Macron responded that France “does not give in to blackmail” and stands for international law and multilateral cooperation.
Billion Dollars for a Permanent Seat
According to international agency reports, countries interested in permanent membership in the Peace Council would have to contribute financially about $1 billion. The Council itself would have limited executive powers, and real decisions would be made in a narrow circle of Trump’s associates. Among the invited countries were Poland, Hungary, Turkey, Russia and Belarus. Positively responded, among others, Israel, United Arab Emirates and Kazakhstan. Belarus’s participation was also confirmed by Alexander Lukashenko. Besides France and Sweden, Norway was also said to have refused to participate.