Russian President Vladimir Putin said he is considering U.S. President Donald Trump’s invitation to the Gaza Board of Peace — but did not agree outright. 

He thereby appeared to directly contradict Trump who, on Wednesday evening, said the Russian president had already signed up to join. 

Speaking during a video call with members of Russia’s Security Council on Wednesday, Putin thanked Trump for the personal invite, saying “we have always supported, and continue to support, any efforts aimed at strengthening international stability.” 

He added he’d ordered Russia’s foreign ministry to review the document and to “consult with our strategic partners.”

Thanking Trump for his role in mediating the “Ukraine crisis” — a Kremlin euphemism for its full-scale invasion — Putin emphasized the Board of Peace would mainly focus on the Middle East. 

He also suggested the U.S. tap into frozen Russian assets in lieu of the $1 billion payment to be paid by countries who want to join Trump’s group, “in view of Russia’s special relations with the Palestinian people.”

“The remainder of our frozen assets could be used for the reconstruction of territory that has suffered from combat after the reaching of a peace deal between Russia and Ukraine,” Putin said. 

The Russian president said that option would be discussed during a meeting in Moscow on Thursday with U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. 

Earlier on Thursday, Putin was also scheduled to meet with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.