Ukraine's Strategic Nobel Peace Prize Nomination: Leveraging Diplomacy to Secure Trump's Support Against Russia

Ukraine is employing a novel diplomatic strategy in its efforts to gain President Donald Trump's full support against Russia: proposing his nomination for the Nobel Peace Prize.

President Volodymyr Zelensky revealed this initiative during a media briefing, just two days before this year's Nobel Prize announcement. The timing, though significant, comes after the selection process for the current year's laureate had already concluded earlier in autumn.

"If Trump provides the world—particularly the Ukrainian people—with an opportunity for a ceasefire, then yes, he deserves a Nobel Peace Prize nomination," Zelensky stated in remarks published Thursday. "Ukraine will put forward his nomination."

Zelensky has been diligently working to secure Trump's backing, and appears to be making progress. Ukraine's priority request from the United States is for Tomahawk missiles, which Kyiv believes could inflict substantial damage on Russian forces and compel Moscow to negotiate. Trump, who has expressed dissatisfaction with Russian President Vladimir Putin, has indicated willingness to provide these weapons.

Trump has previously suggested he deserves the prestigious award, which has been bestowed upon four former U.S. presidents. He has cited various diplomatic achievements, including a purported peace arrangement between India and Pakistan—a claim subsequently denied by India. On Thursday, Israelis and Palestinians celebrated after a ceasefire and hostage exchange agreement was announced under a Trump-led initiative to end the Gaza conflict.

Recently, Ukrainian lawmakers submitted a formal motion requesting colleagues to nominate Trump for the Nobel Prize, arguing this would demonstrate crucial loyalty to a vital strategic partner.

"If we cannot demonstrate today that Ukraine and its parliament completely and wholly support Donald Trump and his peace initiatives, then what can we discuss?" Ukrainian media quoted lawmaker Anna Skorokhod saying on Tuesday.

The nomination window for each year's Nobel prizes closes on January 31, with committee members able to submit their own nominations until their first February meeting.

Ukraine is not alone in this diplomatic approach. Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te stated on Tuesday that Trump would deserve the honor if he successfully persuades China to renounce the use of force against Taiwan.