The European Union has expressed serious reservations about the scope and mandate of the “Peace Council” launched by US President Donald Trump, while signaling openness to limited cooperation with Washington and the new body in Gaza.
Speaking on Friday after an EU summit in Brussels focused on transatlantic relations, European Council President António Costa said European leaders had significant concerns about several elements of the council’s charter. He noted that questions remain over its mandate, governance structure and compatibility with the United Nations Charter.
Despite these concerns, Costa said the EU remains willing to work with the United States on implementing a comprehensive peace plan for Gaza, provided the new council operates strictly as a transitional administrative body.
The Peace Council, which requires a permanent membership fee of one billion dollars, was initially presented as a mechanism to oversee Gaza’s reconstruction. However, its founding charter does not limit its role to the Palestinian territories and appears to envisage a broader remit that could rival existing international institutions, including the United Nations.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez told reporters after the summit that Spain had declined an invitation to participate in the council, reflecting unease among several European governments.
President Trump formally launched the Peace Council on Thursday during a ceremony on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos. Leaders and senior officials from 19 countries joined him on stage to sign the founding charter.
However, even close US allies such as France and the United Kingdom have voiced scepticism. British officials criticized the invitation extended to Russian President Vladimir Putin, whose forces invaded Ukraine, while France said the charter in its current form does not align with its international obligations, particularly its commitments as a member of the United Nations.
The mixed reaction from Europe underscores growing uncertainty about the role and legitimacy of the Trump-backed initiative, as well as broader questions over international coordination on Gaza’s future governance and reconstruction.
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