Putin thanks Trump for Board of Peace invite

Russian President Vladimir Putin thanked U.S. President Donald Trump for an invitation to join a “Board of Peace” initiative.

During a meeting with members of Russia’s Security Council, the head of state suggested Moscow could be prepared to pay the steep fee required for permanent membership.

According to him, it’s crucial to make sure that the process has a positive impact on efforts to find a long-term solution to the Middle East conflict, taking UN decisions and the Palestinian people’s need into account. That said, Russia is ready to allocate $1 billion out of the Russian funds frozen by the previous U.S. administration to these purposes, Putin said.

The Russian President said the Foreign Ministry had been instructed to review a draft charter of the “Board of Peace,” adding that Russia would consult with its “strategic partners” before deciding whether to join.