Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has formally rejected President Donald Trump’s invitation to join what the U.S. administration has described as a new international “peace conference,” delivering a pointed rebuke that framed the proposal as illegitimate, exclusionary, and outside the bounds of international law.
Speaking during an announcement to European Council colleagues, Sánchez said Spain’s decision came after weeks of reflection and consultations with other countries.
“After consulting with many of the countries, after reflecting on it for several weeks, today I wanted to inform my colleagues in the European Council that the Spanish Government has decided not to participate in the so-called peace conference.”
Sánchez acknowledged the invitation from Washington but made clear that Spain would not be taking part.
“We appreciate the invitation, but we decline to participate in this conference proposed by the US administration. This conference is outside the framework of the United Nations and, incidentally, it has not included the Palestinian Authority.”
He argued that any serious effort to resolve the conflict in the region must be grounded in Palestinian self-determination and internationally recognized diplomatic structures.
“The future of Gaza must be decided by Palestinians and Israelis through a negotiated process that implements the two-State solution.”
El futuro de Gaza deben dirimirlo los palestinos y los israelíes en un proceso dialogado que implemente la solución de los dos Estados. pic.twitter.com/mfPeDiYADu
— Pedro Sánchez (@sanchezcastejon) January 23, 2026
“The future of Gaza and also of the West Bank, let’s not forget, the future of Palestine as a whole must be decided by the Palestinians. And also the future of their peaceful and secure coexistence with Israel must be decided fundamentally by Israel and Palestine in a dialogue process that implements the two-state solution.”
Sánchez went further, directly criticizing U.S. foreign policy under Trump and warning of damage to long-standing alliances.
“The reality is that the United States government is not respecting international law and is straining, as never before, the transatlantic relationship between the United States of America and the European Union.”
In response, he said Europe must chart a more independent course.
“And in the face of this, I believe there should be no doubt. Europe must strengthen itself internally and also open itself to other parts of the world. And Europe wants a world that is based on clear rules, on respect for international law, and therefore not on vassalage. A world governed, as I said before, by international law, mutual respect, and cooperation.”
He concluded with a pointed reference to Greenland, echoing recent international backlash to Trump’s rhetoric about the territory.
“A world, for example, in which the future of Greenland is not decided by force, nor by commercial threats, and much less by private financial interests. The future of Greenland belongs to its people, to their representatives, and, of course, to the Kingdom of Denmark.”
Sánchez closed his remarks succinctly:
“Thank you, and I hope you have a good trip back.”
The rejection marks another public setback for Trump’s proposed “Board of Peace,” following earlier withdrawals and rebukes from foreign leaders. It also reinforces a growing divide between the Trump administration and key European governments over Gaza, international law, and the structure of global decision-making—at a moment when Washington is pressing allies to align more closely with its approach.
