President Donald Trump wrapped up his appearance at the World Economic Forum on Thursday after introducing a new “Board of Peace,” portraying it as a vehicle for resolving global conflicts, even as critics questioned its scope and feasibility.

U.S. officials also presented plans for a proposed “New Gaza,” with Trump referring to the war-ravaged Palestinian territory as “great real estate.”

On the sidelines of the forum, Trump met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Both leaders characterized the talks positively, and Trump reiterated that Russia’s nearly four-year war against Ukraine “has to end.”

Zelensky said discussions would soon expand to “trilateral” talks involving Washington, Moscow and Kyiv. He added that he and Trump had agreed on U.S. security guarantees for Ukraine after the war, while acknowledging that negotiations with the U.S. president were “not simple.”

The Ukrainian leader also criticized Europe’s response to Russia, asking: “What’s missing: time or political will?”

‘Board of Peace’

Trump said the “Board of Peace” was formed amid his dissatisfaction with the United Nations’ record in resolving conflicts and after repeated expressions of frustration over not receiving the Nobel Peace Prize.

“Well this is exciting,” Trump said as representatives from 19 countries joined him on stage to sign the organization’s founding charter.

“This board has the chance to be one of the most consequential bodies ever created,” he added.

Initially focused on monitoring the Gaza ceasefire and postwar reconstruction, the board’s mandate has expanded to address conflicts worldwide, prompting concerns that it could function as a parallel institution to the United Nations.

Several U.S. allies, including France and Britain, have raised reservations.

Permanent membership requires a $1 billion contribution, and an invitation extended to Russian President Vladimir Putin — whose forces invaded Ukraine in 2022 — has drawn criticism. Trump said the group would operate “in conjunction” with the United Nations.

Gaza ‘master plan’

Gaza featured prominently in the Davos ceremony.

In a recorded message, Gaza’s newly appointed administrator said the Rafah crossing between Egypt and Gaza would reopen in both directions next week.

Jared Kushner, Trump’s son-in-law and a former real estate developer, presented what he described as a “master plan” for rebuilding Gaza, including proposed residential zones and waterfront developments labeled “New Gaza.”

“It could be a hope. It could be a destination,” Kushner said.

Trump warned Hamas that failure to disarm during the next phase of the ceasefire would mean the “end of them,” and said he was prepared to “talk” with Iran.

‘Not so popular’

The group of officials standing alongside Trump included Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban and Argentine President Javier Milei, as well as representatives from Middle Eastern monarchies seeking closer ties with Washington.

Trump said roughly 50 countries were expected to join the board. Putin has yet to accept the invitation, saying he is still reviewing it. Zelensky, who was also invited, has said cooperation with the Russian leader would be impossible.

Trump expressed confidence that a deal to end the Ukraine war was nearing completion. Zelensky told forum participants that draft agreements with Washington were “nearly, nearly ready.”

Zelensky has cautioned that Trump’s interest in acquiring Greenland — a dominant topic at Davos earlier in the week — could divert attention from Russia’s invasion.

Strains eased after Trump announced a “framework of a future deal” involving the Danish territory and backed away from threatened tariffs on European allies.

Greenland Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen said the island favored a “peaceful dialogue” with the United States and would remain part of Denmark for now.

“We have some red lines,” he said. “We have to respect our territorial integrity. We have to respect international law, sovereignty.”

Markets rallied following Trump’s Greenland reversal, fueled by what traders dubbed the “TACO” trade — short for “Trump Always Chickens Out.”

Even so, as European leaders convened in Brussels, uncertainty persisted over the long-term health of transatlantic relations.