He is convening his new intergovernmental organization, the Peace Council, for the first time this week in Washington. And Europe is largely choosing to stay on the sidelines.
The opening session is expected to focus heavily on post-war governance and its reconstruction. The initiative was first introduced in September as Washington’s 20-point Gaza ceasefire plan, but has since been recast as a broader platform for international conflict resolution.
In all European capitals, the reaction was cold, with countries opting for observer status – Greece among them – and, in many cases, expressing open scepticism. Only Hungary and Bulgaria have said they intend to fully join the scheme. Italy, Romania and Cyprus will attend as observers. Some countries, such as Denmark, did not even receive an invitation.
The European Commission also did not go full board, opting instead to send Mediterranean Commissioner Dubravka Suica, a relatively low-ranking official in Berlemont’s hierarchy.
The positions of the EU countries
Austria: Unlikely to join. Chancellor Christian Stocker said his country has no membership plans. “There is already an organization for such cases, the UN… and I am not in favor of parallel structures.”
Belgium: Not included and not invited. Foreign Minister Maxime Prevost was forced to deny White House claims that Belgium had signed up last month. National broadcaster RTBF reported that the Americans confused Belgium with Belarus. Belgium wants the EU to reach a common position, Prevo said.
Bulgaria: Considers integration. Acting Prime Minister Rosen Zhelezkov sat next to Trump when the initiative was officially unveiled last month in Switzerland, but the decision is pending parliamentary approval.
Croatian: Not included. Both Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic and President Zoran Milanovic – usually political rivals – appeared aligned in rejecting the invitation.
Cyprus: Observer mode. Both Athens and Nicosia said they were keeping open channels with Israel and the Palestinian Authority.
Czech Republic: Unlikely to join. Prime Minister Andrej Babis said that Prague wants to coordinate with other EU countries.
Denmark: Not invited. With relations with the US at a low point following Trump’s intense pressure on Copenhagen and Nuuk to cede Greenland, Denmark was the only Nordic country not to receive an invitation.
Estonia: Not invited.
Finland: Not included. President Alexander Stubb said the council “is a good initiative” but added that Finland would not participate in its current form. “We have a common European policy and we will stick to it,” he told Finnish media outlet Yle.
France: Not included. It was among the first countries to say it would not participate, criticizing its potential overlap with the UN, its incompatibility with its international commitments and the broadening of its focus beyond Gaza.
Germany: Unlikely to join. The German government has so far reacted cautiously. While generally supportive of efforts for peace in Gaza, Foreign Minister Johan Vandeful has repeatedly pointed out that the UN already exists as an established international conflict resolution body.
Greece: Observer mode. Greece initially opposed the council, insisting it be confined to Gaza, fearing marginalization of the UN and potential challenges to its stance on maritime disputes with Turkey. Nevertheless, the Greek government said the council must abide by UN Security Council resolutions.
Hungary: Participates. A close ally of Donald Trump, Prime Minister Viktor Orbán said his country would join as a founding member “because Hungary needs peace to continue developing.”
Ireland: Not included. Deputy Prime Minister Simon Harris said the initiative raised “very serious warning signs”. “Anything that Putin is thinking of participating in that includes the word peace doesn’t sit well with me,” he said.
Italy: Observer mode. Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said it was “appropriate” for Rome to attend the first meeting as an observer, as did Cyprus, which holds the Council’s rotating presidency. “We are Europeans and, based on this decision, we thought it appropriate to send a delegation as observers.”
Latvia: Not invited.
Lithuania: He was not invited and would not join.
Luxembourg: He was not invited and would not join. Prime Minister Luc Frieden said his country would probably not participate even if it had been invited. He welcomed the initiative for peace in Gaza, but prefers that existing multilateral organizations, such as the UN, handle the issue.
Malta: Undecided. Prime Minister Robert Abella said his country was not formally invited, but received an “informal” invitation. He has also criticized the council’s format.
Netherlands: Invited, not sure if they will join. Outgoing Prime Minister Dick Schoof confirmed they had received an invitation, but stressed no final decision had been made. The new government under Rob Yetten has not yet announced a position.
Poland: Not included. Although President Karol Nawrocki has expressed support, the decision rests with the government. Prime Minister Donald Tusk said Poland would not join “under the current circumstances”.
Portugal: Will only join if focus remains on Gaza. The government has yet to accept the invitation, but is open to participation “if it is limited to Gaza.”
Romania: Observer mode. President Nikosor Dunn announced that he would attend the Washington meeting as an observer.
Slovakia: Rejected. Robert Fitzgerald’s government will not accept the invitation, citing among other things that it cannot afford the $1 billion fee for permanent participation.
Slovenia: Rejected. Prime Minister Robert Golomb said the initiative “seriously violates the international order” and that its mandate, beyond Gaza, is too broad.
Spain: Rejected. Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said he rejected the proposal, although he “appreciates the invitation”, citing Spain’s commitment to multilateralism, the UN system and international law.
And Brussels?
The European Commission has confirmed that the Commissioner for the Mediterranean, Dubravka Suica, will travel to Washington for the talks on Gaza. “We are not joining,” said chief spokeswoman Paula Pinho. “Suitsa will be there in her capacity as Commissioner responsible, representing our commitment to implementing peace in Gaza.”
When asked whether the EU would participate as an “observer”, the Commission refused to adopt the term.
Senior EU officials have expressed reservations. “We have serious doubts about some elements of the council’s charter, regarding its scope, governance and compatibility with the UN Charter,” European Council President Antonio Costa said.
The EU’s diplomatic service has expressed similar concerns. “The statute … raises concerns regarding the EU’s constitutional principles,” reads a European External Action Service document seen by Euractiv.
