Kosovo invited by Trump to be part of the Gaza Peace Board

2026-01-21 16:26:48, Kosova & Bota CNA

Kosovo's President, Vjosa Osmani, announced that she has accepted a personal invitation from US leader Donald Trump to represent the country on the Peace Board, "as a founding member."

"I am deeply honored by President Trump's personal invitation to represent the Republic of Kosovo on the Peace Board, as a founding member, side by side with the US in the mission for a safer world," Osmani wrote on Facebook.

This board is expected to oversee the leadership of the Gaza Strip, after the United States brokered a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas - the Palestinian group declared a terrorist organization by Washington and the European Union.

Osmani said that courageous leadership builds peace and does not simply talk about peace, and that is, according to her, exactly what the American president is doing "through this historic initiative."

The Kosovar President said that the US brought peace to Kosovo and Kosovo today is its "steadfast ally in furthering peace."

"History remembers those who take bold steps in building peace - and we are ready," she wrote.

Trump's letter, dated January 20, states that on September 29, 2025, he announced the Comprehensive Plan to End the Conflict in Gaza, through a 20-point plan "that was quickly endorsed by all world leaders." It also mentions a United Nations resolution supporting the plan.

"Now is the time to make these dreams a reality. At the heart of the plan is the Peace Board, which is the most impressive board ever established," Trump's letter says.

Trump says he looks forward to working with Osmani "for a long time to come, toward achieving the goal of lasting world peace, prosperity and greatness for all."

Several international media outlets, citing sources, have reported that Trump wants states to pay $1 billion to become permanent members. According to CNN, those that do not pay this amount will have a three-year term.

Osman's media advisor, Bekim Kupina, told Radio Free Europe that no such payment was requested.

"So no payment of $1 billion was requested. You can see that for yourself in the invitation," he said.

In addition to Kosovo, Albania has also accepted Trump's invitation.

Leaders of Israel, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Bahrain, Canada, Argentina, Paraguay, Azerbaijan and other countries have also accepted such invitations.

Trump has also invited China and Russia. But not all of those who accepted Trump's invitation have committed to being on the Board. The invitation to participate has been declined by France and Sweden.

A few days ago, several other names were published that have been appointed by the US to be part of this board.

The names include US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, President Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff, former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, and Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner.

Trump is chairman of the board, under a plan his White House made public in October.

Israel and the Palestinian group Hamas approved Trump's plan, which envisions a Palestinian technocratic body overseen by an international board, which would oversee the governance of Gaza for a transitional period.

Many human rights experts and activists have said that Trump's oversight of a board that controls the governance of a foreign territory resembles a colonial structure, while Blair's involvement was criticized last year because of his role in the Iraq war and the history of British imperialism in the Middle East.

A United Nations Security Council resolution, adopted in mid-November last year, authorized the board and the countries working with it to establish this board in Gaza.

The White House has also appointed an 11-member Executive Board for Gaza, including Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process Sigrid Kaag, United Arab Emirates Minister for International Cooperation Reem Al-Hashimy, and Israeli-Cypriot billionaire Yakir Gabay, along with several members of the executive board.

The White House has confirmed that former Bulgarian Foreign Minister Nikolay Mladenov will lead the interim administration in Gaza.

This additional board will support Mladenov's office and the Palestinian technocratic body.

Three months ago, Israel and Hamas agreed to a ceasefire, but since then the sides have exchanged accusations of violating it.

The war between Israel and Hamas began in October 2023, after Hamas attacked southern Israel, killing nearly 1,200 people and kidnapping more than 250 others. The war has killed tens of thousands of people in Gaza, caused a famine and caused widespread destruction./REL