Poland Declines Participation in President Trump’s ‘Board of Peace’ Citing Governance Concerns
WARSAW — Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk announced on Wednesday that Poland will not participate in the newly established “Board of Peace,” an international initiative spearheaded by U.S. President Donald Trump. Despite a direct invitation extended by the American president to Polish leadership, the government in Warsaw has decided to abstain from the board’s activities under current circumstances.
Speaking ahead of a cabinet meeting, Prime Minister Tusk clarified that the decision was driven by significant doubts regarding the board’s form, principles, and legal status. “Taking into account certain national doubts regarding the shape of the board, under these circumstances, Poland will not join the work of the Board of Peace,” Tusk stated. He emphasized that while the invitation to the inaugural meeting — scheduled for February 19 in Washington, D.C. — was open to either the Prime Minister or the President, the government found the current framework of the initiative incompatible with its diplomatic standards.
The “Board of Peace” was formally launched by President Trump on January 22 on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos. Originally conceived to oversee reconstruction efforts in the Gaza Strip, the body’s mandate has since expanded to address global conflicts more broadly. The initiative has drawn scrutiny from several Western allies due to its structure, which features President Trump as the indefinite chair, and its inclusion of controversial member states. The invitation of Russia and Belarus to the board has notably contributed to the caution exercised by European nations.
The decision has highlighted a sharp domestic divide within Poland’s executive branch. While Prime Minister Tusk’s government has firmly rejected immediate participation, Polish President Karol Nawrocki, an ally of the opposition and President Trump, has expressed a strong willingness to join. Nawrocki attended the board’s signing ceremony in Davos but refrained from signing the charter at the time, citing the need for government approval. The President has argued that sitting on the board is essential for maintaining close ties with Washington, even if it requires diplomatic engagement with adversaries.
Poland is not the only U.S. ally to decline the invitation. Italian officials also confirmed on Wednesday that Rome would not join the initiative, citing constitutional barriers that prevent Italy from joining international organizations where member states do not operate on equal terms.
Despite the refusal, Prime Minister Tusk was careful to stress that the decision should not be interpreted as a rift in transatlantic relations. “Our relations with the United States have been and will remain our priority,” Tusk assured reporters. He added that Warsaw remains “flexible and open” to the initiative and would not rule out joining in the future should the circumstances and the board’s structure change to meet Poland’s requirements. The government intends to continue analyzing the development of the board while prioritizing its established diplomatic alliances.
* aa.com.tr
* jpost.com
* armenpress.am
* al-monitor.com
* polskieradio.pl
* notesfrompoland.com
* pap.pl
* gamereactor.eu
* china.org.cn
