Britain has officially declined to become a signatory to Donald Trump's proposed "board of peace" treaty, Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper announced today, citing significant concerns about Russian involvement and broader legal complexities.
UK Supports Gaza Plan But Withholds Treaty Signature
During an interview with BBC Breakfast, Cooper emphasised that the United Kingdom strongly endorses the US president's 20-point plan for Gaza, which Trump aims to highlight at the World Economic Forum in Davos this Thursday. However, she made it clear that Britain would not be joining the treaty initiative at this time.
"A Huge Amount of Work to Do"
"There's a huge amount of work to do – we won't be one of the signatories today," Cooper stated definitively. She explained that this decision stems from the treaty's nature as a legal document that "raises much broader issues" beyond the immediate Gaza conflict.
The Foreign Secretary elaborated on Britain's specific reservations, pointing directly to concerns about Vladimir Putin's potential involvement in a peace-focused initiative. "We do also have concerns about President Putin being part of something which is talking about peace, when we have still not seen any signs from Putin that there will be a commitment to peace in Ukraine," Cooper remarked.
Putin's Position and Broader Implications
This announcement comes as Vladimir Putin indicated that Moscow continues to consult with its "strategic partners" before deciding whether to commit to Trump's peace plan. Cooper suggested that Russia's ongoing aggression in Ukraine makes its participation in Middle East peace discussions particularly problematic from Britain's perspective.
"And to be honest, that is also what we should be talking about," Cooper added, redirecting attention toward what she views as more pressing international peace concerns.
Diplomatic Balancing Act
The UK's position represents a careful diplomatic balancing act – supporting Trump's substantive Gaza proposal while distancing itself from the treaty framework that would formalise that support. This approach allows Britain to maintain alignment with US Middle East policy while expressing reservations about the mechanism and participants involved.
Cooper's comments highlight the complex interplay between different international conflicts and peace initiatives, suggesting that Britain views progress in Ukraine as a prerequisite for meaningful Russian participation in other peace processes.
