Trump administration explores creation of Ukraine Peace Council initiative

Washington (Brussels Morning Newspaper) January 17, 2026 – The Trump administration examines proposals to establish a “Peace Council” dedicated to resolving the Ukraine conflict. Senior officials discuss the multilateral diplomatic body involving European allies, Russia, and Ukraine representatives. President Donald Trump mentioned the concept during a January 15 cabinet meeting focused on foreign policy priorities.

The Peace Council would coordinate ceasefire negotiations, humanitarian aid distribution, and reconstruction planning. Discussions centre on Vienna as potential headquarters given Austria’s neutral status. Administration officials briefed congressional leaders on the framework January 16.

Peace Council Concept Origins

President Trump first referenced the Peace Council during his January 20, 2025 inauguration address calling for “innovative diplomacy” in Europe. National Security Advisor Michael Waltz developed the proposal through consultations with European counterparts. Initial design draws from Dayton Accords structure that ended Bosnian war in 1995.

State Department cables dated December 2025 outline 15-member council composition. Five permanent seats allocated to US, Russia, Ukraine, EU representative, and UN Secretary-General. Rotating seats filled by France, Germany, UK, Poland, Turkey, China, India, Brazil, and South Africa.

Administration Objectives and Timeline

White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt stated the council aims “to end active combat within 100 days.” Objectives include demilitarised zones along current frontlines, prisoner exchanges, and Black Sea maritime guarantees. First meeting targeted for March 2026 following NATO Madrid summit.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio testified before Senate Foreign Relations Committee January 14 outlining verification mechanisms. Proposals include US satellite monitoring and third-party observers from neutral states.

European Reactions to Proposal

French President Emmanuel Macron endorsed multilateral format during Paris summit January 10. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz offered Berlin as alternative host city. UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy confirmed London’s participation commitment.

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk expressed reservations over Russian veto power concerns. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán praised “pragmatic approach” during Budapest press conference.

Russian Position on Peace Council

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov confirmed Moscow’s willingness to participate. Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov proposed additional BRICS representation during Moscow security conference. State Duma International Affairs Committee scheduled hearings January 20.

Permanent Representative to UN Vasily Nebenzia presented parallel proposal at Security Council January 16. Russia advocates formal recognition of territorial status quo ante bellum.

Ukrainian Government Response

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy welcomed diplomatic initiatives during Davos address January 14. Presidential advisor Andriy Yermak detailed preconditions including security guarantees and territorial restoration. Verkhovna Rada Foreign Affairs Committee debates ratification requirements.

Kyiv insists NATO Membership Action Plan integration within council mandate. Humanitarian working group prioritised for immediate Donbas civilian access.

Congressional Briefings and Legislation

House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Brian Mast received classified briefing January 16. Senate Resolution 23 introduced January 15 authorising $500 million initial funding. Bipartisan Ukraine Peace Council Caucus formed with 45 cosponsors.

Appropriations subcommittee schedules March 1 funding vote. Oversight provisions mandate quarterly progress reports to Congress.

Precedents and Structural Models

Dayton Accords Peace Implementation Council provided organisational template. Minsk Process Contact Group structure informs working group format. Geneva Conventions Article 9 cited for neutral facilitation precedents.

UN Charter Chapter VI peaceful settlement mechanisms guide legal framework. Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe offered Vienna headquarters per January 12 declaration.

Proposed Working Groups Composition

Ceasefire verification group includes US, Russia, Ukraine, OSCE, Turkey monitors. Humanitarian corridor coordination features Red Cross, UN agencies. Reconstruction trust fund managed by World Bank, European Investment Bank.

Security guarantees subcommittee examines Article 5 alternatives. Maritime security arrangements modelled on Montreux Convention Black Sea protocols.

Funding and Budget Projections

Initial $750 million US contribution covers first-year operations. European allies committed €1.2 billion matching funds per Berlin declaration. Reconstruction estimates range $400-800 billion over decade per World Bank assessments.

Private sector reconstruction bonds proposed through US International Development Finance Corporation.

Host Country Discussions Status

Austria confirmed Vienna availability January 14. Switzerland offered Geneva Conference Centre alternative. Cyprus proposed Nicosia as neutral Eastern Mediterranean location.

Security arrangements mirror UN Vienna infrastructure. Host nation agreement negotiations target February completion.

Technical Preparations Underway

State Department diplomatic security service surveyed potential sites January 12-14. Communications infrastructure contracts awarded to US firms. Simultaneous interpretation systems specified for 12 languages.

Document management platform development follows NATO secure standards. Satellite communications backup systems procured.

International Organisation Involvement

United Nations confirmed Secretary-General participation. OSCE Parliamentary Assembly designated five observers. NATO Supreme Allied Commander Europe receives permanent invitation.

African Union, ASEAN requested associate membership consideration. G20 sherpas scheduled coordination meeting January 22.

Verification and Compliance Mechanisms

US Space Force satellite constellation provides persistent monitoring. Commercial synthetic aperture radar supplements optical imagery. Ground sensor networks proposed for Donbas verification zones.

European Union Satellite Centre contributes Copernicus imagery. IAEA nuclear safety monitoring team integration confirmed.

Reconstruction Priority Areas

Energy infrastructure restoration allocated $120 billion initial phase. Agricultural recovery targets Kherson, Kharkiv oblasts. Housing reconstruction plan covers 2.5 million damaged structures.

Digital connectivity restoration includes Starlink terminal distribution. De-mining operations budgeted $15 billion five-year programme.

Humanitarian Access Protocols

Immediate 30-day ceasefire proposal enables aid convoy access. Mariupol, Severodonetsk designated priority delivery points. Winterisation packages target 4 million displaced civilians.

UN World Food Programme scaling prepositioned stocks. Medical evacuation corridors established per Geneva Conventions protocols.

Security Arrangements Framework

Demilitarised zone specifications mirror Korean DMZ precedents. Heavy weapons withdrawal verification teams deployable within 72 hours. Air defence system inventories exchanged through council channels.

Confidence and security building measures adapted from Vienna Document 2011.

Economic Reconstruction Financing

US Export-Import Bank committed $50 billion credit lines. European Stability Mechanism activates €200 billion contingency facility. International Monetary Fund extended fund facility negotiations underway.

Private equity reconstruction funds targeting $300 billion commitments.

Timeline of Key Developments

Diplomatic Preparatory Meetings

US-Russia pre-council consultations scheduled Geneva January 25. Ukraine-EU coordination Brussels January 20. China observer status negotiations Beijing January 22.

G7 ambassadors preparatory meeting Rome January 18.

Media and Public Communications Strategy

State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller holds daily briefings. White House Ukraine fact sheet published January 16. Multilingual websites operational five languages.

Social media coordination through Global Engagement Center.