Donald Trump’s nomination for the Nobel Peace Prize has been officially withdrawn by Oleksandr Merezhko, chairman of Ukraine’s foreign affairs committee, who accused the former U.S. president of appeasing Vladimir Putin and failing to uphold peace efforts in Ukraine.

Merezhko initially nominated Trump in late 2024, hoping the recognition would motivate Trump to push forward peace talks and end the ongoing war in Ukraine. However, following multiple failed negotiations and a public fallout between Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Merezhko expressed profound disappointment.

“This appeasement of aggression encourages Putin to continue the attack. Trump just turns a blind eye to all of it,” Merezhko wrote in a letter to the Nobel committee. “I lost any kind of faith that Trump will deliver on any of his promises.”

While Trump’s involvement in brokering a ceasefire between Iran and Israel this week has sparked renewed calls for the Peace Prize—backed by U.S. Republican politician Buddy Carter—Merezhko criticized Trump’s inconsistent stance, urging similar support for Ukraine.

“I understand his position in relation to Israel. It is the right thing to do in order to help Israel survive because Iran wants to destroy Israel. I wish he would do the same for Ukraine. Russia also wants to destroy Ukraine. Russia and Iran help each other. Trump should be consistent and help Ukraine.”

Recent developments in the region include U.S. airstrikes on Tehran’s nuclear sites and retaliatory missile launches by Iran, as well as continued Russian missile attacks on Ukrainian cities. The escalating violence has contributed to Merezhko’s loss of confidence in Trump’s peace efforts.

Merezhko emphasized that Ukraine had complied with Trump’s ceasefire demands, including a contentious mineral deal, but felt abandoned by the U.S. leader’s lack of follow-through.

“My goal with the nomination was to give a push in the direction of peace. He has failed to deliver on his promises. This seriously undermines U.S. credibility on the world stage.”

As the NATO summit convened in The Hague this week, Ukraine’s foreign minister Andrii Sybiha called on NATO and EU leaders, including Trump, to exert stronger pressure on Russia.

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