EU diplomats meet Trump's 'Board of Peace' director despite internal split over Gaza

European Union foreign ministers and senior diplomats are meeting Monday in Brussels with Nikolay Mladenov , director‑general of the U.S.-initiated Board of Peace , amid divisions within the bloc over cooperation with Donald Trump’s controversial Gaza reconstruction initiative. The meeting is currently ongoing , and reports detailing the discussions have not yet been made public ; officials said conclusions will be shared once the session is complete.

Mladenov, a former Bulgarian politician and United Nations diplomat chosen by Trump to lead the board, is briefing EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas and ministers from the 27‑nation bloc. Alongside Gaza’s future, the agenda includes the ongoing war in Ukraine and potential fresh sanctions on Russia as the conflict enters its fifth year.

The board’s inaugural meeting took place on Feb. 19 in Washington, where Trump pledged major contributions and ambitious plans for Gaza’s governance that critics say risk sidelining the United Nations . Hungary and Bulgaria are full board members; 12 other EU states joined as observers, and the European Commission was represented by Commissioner for the Mediterranean Dubravka Šuica , a move criticized for lacking a formal mandate.

The EU, which oversees the Rafah border crossing and remains the largest donor to the Palestinian Authority, is divided over engagement with the board. Some capitals view the initiative as potentially undercutting the UN’s role, while the Commission argues the EU must be present to influence reconstruction rather than only fund it.

Human rights advocates have urged ministers to insist the board prioritize Palestinian rights and abide by international legal obligations. In Brussels, Kallas has also highlighted the need for Israel’s approval for EU police and training roles in Gaza, and ministers are expected to discuss expanded sanctions against Russia and credit support for Ukraine.