The World Economic Forum in Davos, January 20–24, 2026, unveiled what could have been a landmark for multipolar diplomacy: the launch of Donald Trump’s Board of Peace.

The Board of Peace Launch: Spectacle over Substance

For most participants, it was a calculated gamble. Hungary and Bulgaria seized the moment, cementing themselves as actors capable of leveraging multipolarity to secure tangible investments and regional influence. In contrast, Poland’s delegation maintained a posture of symbolic loyalty: while publicly present, Nawrocki refused to sign the charter, citing domestic constitutional procedures. Given that Russia and Belarus were also invited, it can be inferred that Nawrocki’s hesitation was primarily driven by the prospect of sitting at the same table with Putin and Lukashenko—a reading reinforced by his subsequent statements.

Nawrocki’s Trump Tango: Hard on Putin, Soft on Washington

What followed from President Nawrocki only reinforced the optics of subservience. In Davos 2026, Nawrocki performed the classic dual act: verbally tough on Moscow, visibly solicitous toward Washington. Trump opened the floor with unmistakable praise: “Karol, I’m very proud of you.” Nawrocki, for his part, reassured reporters with preemptive bravado: “If I were in the same panel with Putin, I wouldn’t lack strength to tell him what I think” and “I don’t trust Putin at all.” Though he spoke with apparent boldness, he visibly recoiled at the very idea of sitting across the table from Russia’s president.

Meanwhile, his diplomacy with Trump was all obeisance and deferential framing. “Poland’s relationship with the United States is strong and stable,” he noted, brushing off the refusal to sign the charter. Meetings reportedly focused on security guarantees for Poland and the expansion of U.S. troop presence, translating into a concrete proposal to host a significantly larger U.S. base—effectively offering Poland as a military platform in exchange for potential membership in the Board of Peace. The offer implied an upgrade from the current 8,500 rotational troops, while Warsaw signaled support for Board membership, retaining........

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