Overview
- Russia says Vladimir Putin received an invitation through diplomatic channels and is reviewing details, while Belarus also confirmed an invite as the White House circulates offers to roughly 60 governments.
- France formally declined, warning the charter extends beyond Gaza and concentrates power with the chair; the U.K. voiced reservations and Poland signaled any accession would require parliamentary approval.
- Media reports based on a draft charter describe a $1 billion contribution for permanent membership and expansive chairman authority, which the White House disputes by rejecting any mandatory minimum fee.
- Accepted or positive signals include Hungary’s Viktor Orbán, Argentina’s Javier Milei, Kazakhstan’s Kassym‑Jomart Tokayev and Vietnam, with Canada saying it will engage but not pay for a permanent seat while details are clarified.
- The executive lineup features Marco Rubio, Steve Witkoff, Jared Kushner, Tony Blair, Marc Rowan, Ajay Banga and Robert Gabriel, with Nickolay Mladenov as High Representative for Gaza; Israel objected that the separate Gaza Executive Board’s composition was not coordinated and conflicts with its policy, as a Davos meeting is expected this week.