DAVOS, SWITZERLAND – The Norwegian government has officially declined an invitation to join Donald Trump’s newly formed “Board of Peace,” distancing itself from an initiative that critics describe as a “personal show” and a “privatized Security Council” designed to bypass established international law, report NRK.
The rejection comes as the U.S. President launched the council this week during a high-profile ceremony at the World Economic Forum in Davos. While Trump claimed the body would work to oversee global conflict resolution, the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (UD) confirmed that Norway will not participate, citing concerns over the council’s structure—specifically the requirement for countries to “buy” their way into the group with a $1 billion entrance fee.
A “Who’s Who” of Autocracy
While traditional Western allies have stayed away, the council’s inaugural signing ceremony featured a roster of leaders often criticized for their undemocratic records and corruption scandals. Joining the likes of Hungary, Azerbaijan, and Belarus, several other nations with troubled democratic profiles have jumped at the chance to join Trump’s inner circle:
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Turkey (Recep Tayyip Erdoğan): Under Erdoğan’s increasingly authoritarian leadership, Turkey has seen a massive crackdown on dissent, the imprisonment of journalists, and the erosion of the rule of law. Critics argue Erdoğan’s participation is a move to secure transactional leverage with Washington while bypassing European human rights standards.
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Pakistan (Asim Munir/Shehbaz Sharif): Currently grappling with extreme political instability and systemic corruption, Pakistan’s “yes” to the council comes amid allegations of heavy military interference in the democratic process and the suppression of the political opposition.
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Hungary (Viktor Orbán): A staunch Putin and Trump ally, Orbán has presided over what the EU describes as a “hybrid regime of electoral autocracy,” characterized by the dismantling of media freedom and judicial independence.
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Belarus (Alexander Lukashenko): Known as “Europe’s last dictator,” Lukashenko’s regime is infamous for the violent suppression of protesters and his total reliance on Kremlin-style governance.
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Azerbaijan (Ilham Aliyev): A nation defined by hereditary rule and a lack of free elections, where the ruling family has been frequently linked to international money laundering and the silencing of political activists.
“I’ve Lost Respect for Norway”
The snub has clearly rankled the U.S. President. Following Norway’s refusal, Trump told reporters he had “lost a lot of respect” for the Nordic nation, accusing the Norwegian government of exerting undue influence over the Nobel Peace Prize—a prize he has long sought.
“I think the government has great influence over who gets the Peace Prize,” Trump remarked, despite the fact that the Nobel Committee is legally independent of the Norwegian government.
Critics in Norway have been blunt about the new organization. Arild Hermstad, leader of the Green Party (MDG), labeled the initiative a “mafia council,” arguing that Norway must protect the legitimacy of international institutions against Trump’s attempt to “privatize” global security alongside some of the world’s most notorious autocrats.
