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By Gabe Whisnant
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Elon Musk opened his session in Davos with a joke that drew laughs from the audience, riffing on the similarity between “piece” and “peace” as he referenced President Donald Trump’s newly announced Board of Peace.
“I heard about the formation of the peace summit, and I was like, is that p‑i‑e‑c‑e?” Musk said, smiling as the crowd chuckled. “You know, a little piece of Greenland, a little piece of Venezuela.”
“All we want is peace,” he added, prompting quieter laughter from attendees.
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Why It Matters
Musk’s quip at the World Economic Forum highlights how Trump’s foreign-policy theatrics are shaping global diplomatic discourse at a high-profile international gathering. Musk’s joke — riffing on the similarity between “peace” and “piece” in the context of Trump’s newly announced Board of Peace and his controversial push around Greenland and Venezuela — underscored broader unease among business and political leaders about the United States’ shifting approach to alliances and geopolitical norms.
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Trump Unveils Board of Peace as Allies Hesitate
Trump inaugurated the Board on Thursday at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, where he officially signed the Board of Peace's charter.
The development is a component of the second phase of Trump’s 20-point plan, revealed in September and aimed at ending the war in Gaza that followed Hamas’ 2023 attack on Israel. Trump said the board could eventually rival the United Nations in influence, even as many close U.S. allies opted not to participate.
“This isn’t the United States, this is for the world,” Trump said, presenting the board as the centerpiece of a broader plan to guide Gaza’s postwar future. The launch, however, came after several days in which Trump’s foreign policy messaging was overshadowed—first by his threat to seize Greenland, and then by his abrupt reversal.
Ali Shaath, tapped to oversee a future technocratic government in Gaza under U.S. supervision, joined Trump onstage and said the Rafah border crossing with Egypt would open in both directions next week. Israel did not confirm the claim, saying only that it would review the matter. Israeli forces continue to control the Gaza side of the crossing.
The Board of Peace began as a small panel intended to oversee the ceasefire, but it has expanded into a much larger undertaking. The scope and ambiguity of its mission have fueled skepticism among partners who typically align with Washington on global security issues.
Trump, nonetheless, insisted that global support was broad. He said 59 nations had signed on, though only 19 countries, plus the United States, sent representatives to the event. Delegates included Paraguay and Azerbaijan and Hungary.
“You’re the most powerful people in the world,” Trump told them, glossing over the limited turnout.
Trump has said the board could one day take over some U.N. functions or replace parts of the institution outright. On Thursday, he voiced a softer approach, saying the new body would work “in conjunction with the United Nations,” even as he criticized the U.N. for failing to contain various international conflicts.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio said some governments were supportive but needed parliamentary approval before joining, underscoring how few commitments were actually secured.
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Questions Over Membership and Purpose
Uncertainty about the board’s final membership remains significant. Russian President Vladimir Putin said Moscow was still consulting with “strategic partners” before deciding whether to join. Putin, who was hosting Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in Moscow, has tried to position Russia as a counterweight to U.S. diplomacy in Gaza.
Some critics question why Russia or other authoritarian states were invited at all. Britain’s foreign secretary, Yvette Cooper, said London would not participate because the effort involved a “legal treaty that raises much broader issues.” She also cited concerns about Putin’s involvement at a time when Russia has shown “no signs” that it is willing to pursue peace in Ukraine.
Norway and Sweden indicated they would not take part, and France declined despite supporting the Gaza ceasefire framework. French officials said they feared the board could be used to undermine or replace the U.N. Canada, Ukraine, China and the European Union’s executive arm also have not committed. While Trump’s decision to retreat from sweeping tariffs tied to Greenland may ease some tensions with allies, diplomats said the issue remains unsettled.
The Kremlin said Putin planned to discuss a proposal to donate $1 billion for humanitarian purposes through the Board of Peace, contingent on Russia regaining access to assets blocked by the United States.
Regional Governments Signal Caution
The idea of the Board of Peace was included in Trump’s 20‑point Gaza ceasefire plan and was endorsed by the U.N. Security Council. But regional governments have coordinated their responses carefully. An Arab diplomat based in Europe said their support is “preliminary” and limited strictly to what the Security Council mandated.
The diplomat, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said the U.S. charter outlining the board’s mission conflicts in some areas with the U.N. mandate. He said major powers were unlikely to back the board in its current format.
Months after the ceasefire began, more than 2 million Palestinians in Gaza remain in dire humanitarian conditions following more than two years of conflict. Violence continues, and Israel insists that Hamas must disarm—something the militant group refuses to do. Trump repeated his warning that Hamas must surrender its weapons or face severe consequences.
He claimed the war “is really coming to an end” but acknowledged that smaller flare‑ups continue. “We have little fires that we’ll put out,” he said. “But they’re little,” compared with what he called earlier “giant, massive fires.”
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Iran’s Influence and Trump’s Foreign Policy Calculations
The launch of the Board of Peace also comes amid rising tensions with Iran. Earlier this month, Trump threatened military action as Iranian security forces violently cracked down on widespread protests, killing thousands. Trump said he has refrained from further strikes after receiving assurances that Iran would pause its planned hangings of more than 800 protesters.
He argued that his hardline approach to Tehran—including U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities last June—helped pave the way for the Israel‑Hamas ceasefire deal. He said the pressure on Iran discouraged broader regional escalation.
Zelensky Says Trilateral Talks Will Begin Friday
Trump also held a closed‑door meeting at Davos with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. The meeting lasted about an hour, and Trump called the discussion “very good,” though he did not mention any breakthroughs. Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff and Trump's son‑in‑law Jared Kushner are expected in Moscow for talks aimed at ending Russia’s nearly four‑year war in Ukraine.
Zelensky later told the Davos forum that two days of trilateral talks among the United States, Ukraine and Russia would begin Friday in the United Arab Emirates. The meetings will follow U.S. consultations in Moscow.
“Russians have to be ready for compromises,” Zelenskyy said. “Everybody has to be ready, not only Ukraine, and this is important for us.”
Updates: 1/22/26, 1:40 p.m. ET: This article was updated with new information and remarks.
This article includes reporting by the Associated Press.
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