MOSCOW

Belarus on Tuesday officially joined the "Board of Peace," a new international body proposed by US President Donald Trump to address conflicts, starting with the situation in Gaza.

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko signed the necessary document in line with the invitation's procedure, his press service said.

"I have signed the appropriate appeal to the US, stating that we are ready to accept their offer and become founders of this council," Lukashenko said during a news conference in Minsk.

On Belarus’ role in the body, Lukashenko noted that he "objectively" understands his country’s capabilities.

"What can we do there, helping Gaza too much? If we help, it won't be much. But I'm attracted by the idea that maybe this Board of Peace, its actions and possibilities, will expand to other parts of the planet," he explained.

He also expressed hope that the participation could allow Belarus to contribute to peace efforts regarding Ukraine.

"First of all, perhaps we can help with Ukraine somehow, discuss and advance peace, influence the Ukrainian leadership. That's what's attracting me the most. Not that we're going to help Gazans so much. I know my capabilities and those of our Belarus. I'm looking ahead," Lukashenko said.

He added that the membership is free for the first three years for founding states, after which continued participation depends on contributions to peace efforts.

"I'm counting on the latter," he noted.

On Monday, Belarusian Foreign Ministry spokesman Ruslan Varankov confirmed that Minsk had received a personal invitation from Trump for Lukashenko to join the board.

"I also have the honor to inform the Government of the United States of America, in its capacity as depositary of the Charter, that the Republic of Belarus hereby accepts the Charter of the Board of Peace as of the date of this letter, which constitutes the official notification of the Republic of Belarus of its consent to be bound by the Statute," reads the document published on Telegram.

The document is addressed to US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, to take effect immediately.

Late on Friday, the White House announced the formation of the Board of Peace alongside the approval of the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza, one of four bodies designated to manage the transitional phase in the enclave.

Trump invited around 60 world leaders to join the board.

The creation of the board coincided with the launch of the second phase of the ceasefire agreement, which halted Israel’s war on Gaza, which has killed more than 71,000 people and injured over 171,000 others since October 2023.

The initiative is part of a 20-point plan proposed by Trump and adopted by the UN Security Council under Resolution 2803 in November 2025.