Slovakia Formally Declines Membership in Donald Trump’s Newly Established Peace Council

On Wednesday, January 28, 2026, the Slovak Cabinet of Ministers officially ratified its decision to decline an invitation to join the Peace Council, a high-profile international body recently proposed by Donald Trump. This formal move follows a public recommendation issued just a day earlier, on January 27, 2026, by Prime Minister Robert Fico. Fico, who has served as the nation's leader since October 2023, expressed deep-seated concerns that participating in the council would lead to the creation of "parallel structures" that would merely duplicate the existing roles and responsibilities of the United Nations. By rejecting the proposal, the Slovak government has signaled its intent to stick with established diplomatic frameworks rather than venturing into new, unproven international organizations.

The Peace Council was officially inaugurated on January 22, 2026, during the World Economic Forum held in Davos, Switzerland. While its supporters present the council as a more flexible and efficient alternative to the United Nations Security Council, its initial focus was specifically centered on a peace framework for the Gaza region. However, international skepticism regarding the new body has intensified following reports that long-term membership might require a massive financial contribution of $1 billion. Prime Minister Fico was adamant in his refusal to commit Slovak funds to the project, stating categorically that the Slovak Republic would not pay membership fees for such an institution, emphasizing that the country has no interest in financing redundant global structures.

This decision by Bratislava underscores Slovakia’s commitment to traditional multilateral principles over new geopolitical experiments. Foreign Minister Juraj Blanár also voiced strong opposition to the proposal, citing significant concerns regarding the Council's structure and its broad mandate. Specifically, Blanár criticized the lack of a clear focus solely on the Gaza conflict and the notable exclusion of the Palestinian Authority from the council’s membership. Furthermore, the Foreign Minister took issue with the concept of a lifelong chairmanship equipped with veto power, labeling the structure as fundamentally undemocratic. He reiterated that Bratislava cannot support the establishment of a body that seeks to operate in parallel with the UN.

The Slovak government’s cautious stance is also a reflection of its current strategic diplomatic priorities. Robert Fico is actively campaigning for international support to secure a non-permanent seat for Slovakia on the United Nations Security Council for the 2028–2029 term. The Prime Minister has repeatedly highlighted the "immense interest" the country has in obtaining this position, which would elevate Slovakia's influence on the global stage. The prevailing view in Bratislava is that existing international institutions, such as the UN, should be subject to internal reform rather than being bypassed or replaced by newly formed entities.

In a separate but related development on January 28, 2026, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio testified before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, where he called for a significant "rethinking" of the North Atlantic Alliance. Rubio urged European allies to take greater responsibility for their own defense capabilities. During his testimony, he also defended the Trump administration’s recent military operation in Venezuela, which resulted in the capture of Nicolás Maduro on January 3, 2026, claiming the action had made the United States more secure. Additionally, Rubio expressed hope for a "positive resolution" regarding the status of Greenland following high-level negotiations with Denmark.

The Peace Council, which received its initial authorization under UN Security Council Resolution 2803 in November 2025 to manage the reconstruction of Gaza, has since attempted to expand its reach to other global conflict zones. Despite the announcement of 26 founding nations following the Davos launch, major European powers including France, the United Kingdom, and Germany are conspicuously absent from the list. This lack of participation is largely attributed to ongoing disputes over various issues, including international tariff policies. Within the European Union, only Hungary and Bulgaria have accepted the invitation to join the council, leaving Slovakia aligned with the majority of its EU peers in their skepticism.