Kazakhstan Joins Trump-Initiated Peace Council Without Paying $1 Billion

On January 22, 2026, during the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and US President Donald Trump jointly signed the charter of the "Peace Council," an initiative launched by Trump. Leaders or representatives from 18 countries, including Kazakhstan, attended the signing ceremony.

The Kazakh Presidential Office quickly clarified, emphasizing that no fees were paid to join the Council. "Joining the Peace Council only requires a sovereign decision by the state," the Presidential Press Office stated.

01 The Birth and Controversy of the Peace Council

Trump formally announced the establishment of the "Peace Council" on the eve of the Davos Forum, appointing himself chairman. The Council claims its primary mission is to oversee the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip and the process of lasting peace in the Middle East.

According to the disclosed draft charter, the Council will first address the Gaza conflict and then expand to other conflicts globally. Trump declared on his social media platform that this is "the greatest and most prestigious Council ever formed, at any time and in any place."

The Council's leadership structure is highly centralized. Trump served as the first chairman and possessed broad powers, including the power to invite members, approve agendas, and have final approval of resolutions. All committee decisions were passed by a simple majority, but ultimately required the chairman's approval.

The most controversial aspect was the provision in the charter regarding a $1 billion contribution. According to the draft, member states that contributed $1 billion in cash within the first year of the charter's entry into force could obtain permanent seats, without the three-year term limit.

02 Kazakhstan's Zero-Cost Accession

The Kazakh Presidential Office clarified their accession conditions. The Presidential Press Office emphasized: "Joining the Peace Council requires only a state's independent decision. From the date of accession, the term of office for member states is three years. The $1 billion voluntary contribution mentioned in the charter is not a condition for membership, but rather a voluntary right of each participating state."

Kazakhstan further stated that it "joined the Peace Council without paying any financial contributions, which is fully in accordance with the charter." This statement was a response to an earlier Bloomberg report that the United States required countries seeking permanent seats to contribute at least $1 billion.

Kazakhstan's accession was based on its own national decision, without any financial commitments, highlighting the flexibility stipulated in the charter.

03. Polarized Reactions from the International Community

The Trump administration extended invitations to approximately 60 countries and international organizations to join, but the responses were polarized.

Traditional European allies such as France and Germany reacted cautiously or even outright rejected the idea. French President Macron was the first to state his refusal to join, and Trump immediately threatened to impose a 200% tariff on French wine and champagne.

French Foreign Minister Barrow clearly stated: "We sincerely support the peace plan proposed by the US President, but oppose the establishment of this organization according to the current plan, which essentially replaces the role of the United Nations." The German Foreign Minister bluntly stated: "We already have a peace committee, and that is the United Nations."

In stark contrast to the lukewarm reception from European countries, a number of developing countries showed a positive attitude. In addition to Kazakhstan, more than 30 countries, including Belarus, Hungary, Turkey, Qatar, and Pakistan, expressed their willingness to join.

Russian President Putin has received an invitation, and the Kremlin stated that it is "studying the details of the proposal." Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun confirmed receiving the invitation but did not elaborate on whether China would join.

04 Geopolitical Strategic Considerations

The fact that Kazakhstan and Belarus, often considered "pro-Russian," were among the first to join Trump's Peace Council reflects deep strategic considerations.

For Central Asian countries like Kazakhstan, joining the Peace Council is a continuation of multi-pronged diplomacy. As a resource-rich nation, Kazakhstan's economic development is heavily reliant on oil, natural gas, and mineral exports. Joining a US-led international institution helps it access more international markets.

Meanwhile, Kazakhstan has consistently maintained a high degree of alignment with Russia on core international positions and diplomatic choices. Despite the US and Western sanctions against Russia, Kazakhstan has not followed suit and has maintained normal trade relations with Russia.

Belarus, on the other hand, faces economic difficulties under Western sanctions. Since 2022, under the dual impact of the Russia-Ukraine conflict and Western sanctions, Belarus's exports to the EU have declined significantly. Joining the Peace Council provides Belarus with a direct channel to Washington, allowing it to bypass the EU and engage in direct dialogue with the US.

Another key factor in these countries' participation was Russia's attitude. Russia adopted a cautious approach, neither explicitly supporting nor opposing the matter. This reassured Belarus and Kazakhstan, alleviating concerns about potential conflict with Russia arising from their accession.

05 Potential Competition Between the Peace Council and the United Nations

Trump has publicly stated that the Peace Council "might" replace the United Nations, arguing that the UN "has never been very effective," but also stating that the UN "should continue to exist."

The spokesperson for the President of the UN General Assembly, Collins, responded that currently "there is one multilateral organization in the world that can handle peace and security issues, and that is the United Nations." The spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General, Dujarric, also pointed out that the United States did not pay its UN dues last year.

The structure of the Peace Council differs significantly from that of the UN Security Council. The Peace Council allows countries to obtain permanent seats by paying $1 billion, while the status of the five permanent members of the UN Security Council is determined by the post-World War II international order.

The lack of full participation from permanent members of the UN Security Council such as China, Russia, the United Kingdom, and France raises questions about the representativeness and effectiveness of the Peace Council. International analysts believe that the four major powers with veto power are unwilling to replace the United Nations with Trump's "Peace Council."

06 The Crossroads of the Global Governance System

The establishment of the Peace Council reflects the profound changes taking place in the global governance system. Traditional major-power-dominated multilateral mechanisms are facing challenges, and more flexible but also more selective international organizations are emerging.

For developing countries, the Peace Council provides another channel for participating in international affairs. Joining the Council does not require immediate economic burdens, yet it can gain a greater voice on the international stage.

However, the Peace Council also faces questions about its legitimacy and effectiveness. An international institution initially established to resolve the Gaza conflict lacks the full participation of Palestine and Israel, the two core parties involved. Israel has even publicly opposed the inclusion of Qatar, Turkey, and other countries, arguing that the list contradicts its policies.

In a complex and volatile international environment, countries are making choices based on their own interests, rather than simply drawing lines according to traditional alliances.

With the formal launch of the Peace Council, it will face its first test in handling the Gaza conflict. The role that Kazakhstan and other member states will play in the committee over the next three years, and whether any country will bid for the $1 billion permanent seat, will ultimately determine the fate of Trump's foreign policy initiative.

Regardless of whether the Peace Council can truly replace some of the functions of the United Nations, it has become a symbol of global power restructuring. In an increasingly multipolar world, countries like Kazakhstan are finding their place within the new international framework, balancing traditional relations with emerging opportunities.