US President Donald Trump’s move to launch a Peace Council was driven less by diplomacy than by domestic politics, political analyst Aleksandr Asafov argues. In his view, the initiative was primarily designed to resonate with Trump’s core audience ahead of the autumn congressional elections.

Asafov says the decision grew out of a mix of factors, ranging from Trump’s personal ambitions to his long-standing irritation with international institutions, including the United Nations. Still, the electoral calculation, he stresses, plays a central role. In comments to Lenta.ru, the analyst explained that the project allows Trump to present himself as active and decisive at a moment when he needs visible achievements for voters.

According to Asafov, Trump’s foreign policy record offers few clear successes to showcase. Developments in Venezuela, often cited by the White House, look ambiguous at best, as do outcomes in several other areas. Against this backdrop, unveiling a new body framed as an alternative to the UN and similar organizations gives the president something concrete to point to, even if its practical impact remains unclear.

The analyst also doubts the Peace Council will have a long life. He suggests its trajectory could mirror that of DOGE, the agency created under businessman Elon Musk to reform the state apparatus, which failed to meet initial expectations.

In the end, Asafov maintains, the logic behind the Peace Council is straightforward: it is less about reshaping global governance and more about scoring political points at home in the run-up to a key election.