Brussels, Belgium – European Union diplomats are set to meet with Nikolay Mladenov, the director of the Board of Peace, amid growing unease and division within the bloc over the United States’ approach to securing and rebuilding the Gaza Strip. The meeting comes after a controversial embrace of U.S. President Donald Trump’s efforts in the region and as the EU grapples with its role in the aftermath of the conflict.
The meeting, led by EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas and involving foreign ministers from all 27 member nations, will also address the ongoing war in Ukraine and the implementation of fresh sanctions against Russia, highlighting the complex geopolitical challenges currently facing the European Union. However, the future of Gaza and the Board of Peace are expected to dominate discussions.
The Board of Peace, established by President Trump, aims to oversee the reconstruction and governance of Gaza. Its formation and operation have been met with skepticism and resistance from some EU member states, who express concerns about the lack of transparency and the potential for the initiative to undermine existing international efforts, particularly those led by the United Nations. The EU currently plays a crucial oversight role at the Rafah border crossing and remains the largest donor to the Palestinian Authority.
According to sources, the question of engagement with the Trump-led board has deeply split national capitals, ranging from Nicosia to Copenhagen. While Hungary and Bulgaria are full members of the Board, and several other nations – including Turkey, Kosovo, and Albania – have observer status, others have expressed strong reservations. Twelve additional EU nations – Austria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Finland, Germany, Greece, Italy, Netherlands, Poland, Romania, and Slovakia – sent observers to the inaugural meeting in Washington on .
The EU flag was prominently displayed at the Washington meeting alongside those of member and observer nations, a gesture that some interpret as a signal of reluctant cooperation. However, key European leaders, including French President Emmanuel Macron and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, declined invitations to participate. Von der Leyen did dispatch European Commissioner for the Mediterranean, Dubravka Šuica, as an observer.
This decision to send Šuica without prior consultation with the European Council, the collective body of EU leaders, has sparked criticism. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot stated that the European Commission’s participation in the Board of Peace meeting in Washington violated EU regulations. The European Commission should never have attended the Board of Peace meeting in Washington,
Barrot said in a post on X.
The controversy surrounding the Board of Peace underscores the broader tensions within the EU regarding its foreign policy approach and its relationship with the United States under the Trump administration. The differing levels of engagement reflect a fundamental disagreement over the best path forward for Gaza and the wider Middle East region.
The Board of Peace, led by former Bulgarian politician and UN diplomat Nikolay Mladenov, has outlined ambitious plans for Gaza, including significant infrastructure development and governance reforms. However, these plans face considerable skepticism, given the complex political and security realities on the ground. The board’s ambitions are likely to be tempered by the practical challenges of implementation.
The meeting on is expected to be a critical moment for the EU as it seeks to define its position on the Board of Peace and its role in the future of Gaza. Diplomats will likely attempt to reconcile the divergent views within the bloc and forge a unified approach that balances the need for stability and reconstruction with the principles of international law and multilateral cooperation.
Beyond Gaza, the EU’s agenda includes a renewed focus on the war in Ukraine and the strengthening of sanctions against Russia. This demonstrates the EU’s commitment to addressing multiple geopolitical crises simultaneously, even as internal divisions threaten to complicate its efforts. The situation in Ukraine remains a top priority for the EU, and the bloc is determined to maintain its support for Kyiv and its efforts to defend its sovereignty.
The outcome of the meeting with Mladenov will be closely watched by international observers, as it could signal a shift in the EU’s approach to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and its relationship with the United States. The EU’s response will have significant implications for the future of Gaza and the broader stability of the Middle East region.
