Russia to donate US $1 bn from frozen assets to ‘Board of Peace’ even before accepting Trump’s invitation

“Even before we decide on the issue of participation in the composition and work of ‘Board of Peace’, taking into account Russia’s special relationship with the Palestinian people, we could, I think, send $1 billion from Russian assets frozen under the previous US administration to ‘Board of Peace’,” he announced.

“Incidentally, the remaining funds from our frozen assets in the US could be used to rebuild territories damaged by the fighting after a peace treaty is concluded between Russia and Ukraine. We are also discussing this possibility with representatives of the US administration,” Putin said.

Putin’s remarks come ahead of his talks with Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff on a possible Ukrainian solution, scheduled to be held on Thursday.

On Russia’s plan to join the ‘Board of Peace’

Putin, in the beginning of his remarks, expressed his gratitude to Trump for inviting Russia to join the ‘Board of Peace’. “I would like to begin by thanking the US President for this proposal. We have always supported and continue to support any efforts aimed at strengthening international stability. We also acknowledge the current US administration’s contribution to the search for a solution to the Ukrainian crisis,” Putin said.

“Regarding our participation in ‘Board of Peace’, the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been instructed to study the documents received by us, consult with our strategic partners on this matter, and only then will we be able to respond to the invitation extended to us,” he declared.

Putin on Trump’s plans to acquire Greenland

Commenting on Trump’s pressing demand to acquire Greenland that would put Denmark on the edge and interfere with the unity of NATO, Putin said he was not concerned about the issue.

“What happens to Greenland is none of our business,” Putin said in his remarks.

“Compared to the cost of the US acquiring Alaska, the price for Greenland would be somewhere around $200–250 million. Compared to gold prices at the time, the figure would have been higher, probably closer to a billion. But I think the US could handle that figure, too. And the important thing is that Denmark and the US have experience in this regard. I believe Denmark sold the Virgin Islands in 1917, and the US bought them. So, that kind of experience exists, too,” he said.

“Incidentally, Denmark has always treated Greenland as a colony and has been quite harsh, if not cruel, toward it. But that’s a different matter entirely, and I doubt anyone’s interested right now. It certainly doesn’t concern us. I think they’ll sort it out among themselves,” PTI quoted the Russian President as saying.

Putin also recalled that in 1867, Russia had sold Alaska to the US for US $7.2 million.