Brussels 25.01.2026 The EU’s diplomatic service (EEAS) points to legal concerns about the charter underpinning Donald Trump’s new Board of Peace initiative, according to Reuters news agency.

Trump has billed his new intergovernmental organisation, signed into existence on January 22 in Davos, Switzerland, as a forum for resolving global conflicts, but there was a lukewarm reaction from the EU insitutions.

Europe isn’t buying it.

Top EU leader Antonio Costa flags serious doubts over the so-called “Board of Peace”- questioning its scope, governance, and even its compatibility with the UN Charter.

When peace needs this many disclaimers, the world should pay attention. 👀🌍 pic.twitter.com/LgaAJ5gP7Z

— The Alternate Media (@AlternateMediaX) January 23, 2026

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The project stems from his 20-point Gaza ceasefire plan endorsed by the UN Security Council but has expanded beyond its initial mandate. It has been widely criticised for creating a parallel structure to the UN, giving to Trump administration disproportionate powers, and for inviting Russia. Many European allies, including Norway, Sweden and France, have declined participation, while others, such as Italy, said they would not join for the moment.

“The Board of Peace charter … raises a concern under the EU’s constitutional principles,” states the document written by the European External Action Service and dated 19 January.

The EEAS notes that the proposed governance structure in Trump’s board charter departs from what was agreed by the United Nations (UN).

The Gaza peace plan – agreed between Israel and Hamas last September – was endorsed by the UN Security Council through a resolution that welcomed the establishment of the Board of Peace, while also including provisions on its scope, mandate and functioning.

Under the charter, Trump would serve as the organisation’s “inaugural chairman”, with sole authority to appoint his successor and the power to veto any decision adopted by a majority of members. The Board would also be overseen by a seven-member executive council.

🚨 JUST IN: What just happened in Davos was WILD…

Right after the Board of Peace was signed, President Trump walked down the line and met with world leaders one-by-one — and you could literally feel the energy in the room.

They weren’t just “greeting” him…

They looked… pic.twitter.com/nh4mZ2jynv

— Charlie’s Voice Rising (@CharlieK_news) January 22, 2026

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In particular, the document scrutinises the amount of power Trump will have inside the Board structure, saying “the autonomy of the EU legal order also militates against a concentration of powers in the hands of the chairman.”

After a meeting of EU leaders in Brussels on January 22, European Council President António Costa said he had “serious doubts” about the Board’s statutes.

“I think we were taken by surprise by the terms of reference going so far beyond what we were expecting based on the security council resolution,” said a senior EU official, referring to the initial UN text.
“Right now it’s more of a political decision than a legal one,” the official said.
The document text does not categorically state that joining the board would contadict the EU laws.

Many leaders of EU countries have been invited to join, though only Hungary and Bulgaria have so far accepted the proposal. Russian President Vladimir Putin has also been invited to join, and he has promissed already one billion fund from the frozen in the West Russian assets. Poland is scrutinising its invitation, and its Prime Minister Donald Tusk, the Eurocentric, wrote online, “We will not let anyone play us.”

Ursula von der Leyen has also received an invitation, which she “appreciated”, European Commission chief spokesperson Paula Pinho said. However, “we have questions about a number of aspects of the charter,” she added.

France, Spain, and the UK have declined. Italy has ruled out participation for the moment, citing incompatibility with its constitution.