Ukrainian Official Loses Faith in Trump
A senior member of the Ukrainian parliament, who had previously nominated U.S. President Donald Trump for a Nobel Peace Prize, has decided to withdraw that nomination. This comes as peace talks between Ukraine and Russia seem to be fading into the background, while the president is concentrating more on issues in the Middle East.
Oleksandr Merezhko, who leads Ukraine’s foreign affairs committee in parliament, expressed to Newsweek on Tuesday that he no longer trusts Donald Trump or believes he can help bring peace between Ukraine and Russia.
Merezhko first put Trump’s name forward for the award in November, but he announced on Monday morning that he was withdrawing that nomination.
Read the necessary details here – Donald Trump Nobel Peace Prize Nomination Withdrawn.
Trump’s Broken Promise on Quick Peace
In January, Trump came back to the White House and promised to resolve Europe’s most significant conflict since World War II in just one day. However, as time passed, hopes for a quick agreement faded, and the Republican, who likes to think of himself as a “peacemaker-in-chief,” became increasingly frustrated with the slow pace of progress.
During his 2024 presidential campaign, Trump claimed he could “end the Ukraine war in just 24 hours.” Later, he explained that he was being “sarcastic” when he made that statement. In April, he also mentioned that the U.S. would step back from trying to mediate peace talks unless there were some progress toward a ceasefire between Moscow and Kyiv.
Stalled Negotiations Despite Ukrainian Agreement
In March, Ukraine accepted a proposal from the United States. However, Russia has not yet agreed to it.
Ukrainian officials and international observers have noted that Trump is working to establish a better relationship with Russia. The White House appears reluctant to impose sanctions on Russia, even as Trump hinted that Russia might be spying on American negotiators. Merezhko said, “Trump is avoiding the need to impose sanctions on Russia.”
In late May, Trump mentioned that it would take about two weeks to figure out if Moscow was playing games with him. He warned that if Russian President Vladimir Putin were stalling for time, they would handle the situation differently. That two-week deadline has already passed.
“I believe Putin didn’t take the two weeks seriously,” said John Foreman, a former British defense advisor who has worked in both Moscow and Kyiv, in a previous interview with Newsweek.
Merezhko mentioned that Trump seemed to show little response to the recent significant attacks on the capital of Ukraine. He added that Trump has decided to take a stance of compromise instead of standing firm.
Middle East Takes Priority Over Ukraine
Former President Trump arrived in The Hague, Netherlands, on Tuesday for a major NATO summit. His visit comes right after he announced a ceasefire between Iran and Israel. In a message on his Truth Social platform, he urged everyone not to break this agreement, saying, “PLEASE DO NOT VIOLATE IT!.
Iran has denied accusations that it has broken a delicate peace agreement. In response, Israel’s defense minister, Israel Katz, has instructed the Israeli military to take decisive action by launching severe attacks on key Iranian locations in Tehran.
Ukrainian officials are concerned about U.S. attention and weapons being diverted to the Middle East, as well as the impact on oil markets, Merezhko said.
Economic Implications and Oil Markets
Rising oil prices due to conflict in the Middle East could work in Russia’s favor, which is something Ukraine would prefer to prevent. According to a report from Politico on Friday, the European Union has decided not to move forward with plans to set a limit on the price of Russian oil exports, as it is concerned about the potential for even higher oil prices.
“Everyone, let’s work together to keep oil prices low,” Trump stated in a social media post on Monday. “I’m keeping an eye on it.”
Ukraine announced on Monday that it had attacked an oil storage facility located in the Rostov region of Russia during the night.
Pakistan Maintains Nobel Nomination
The government of Pakistan announced on Friday that it will officially nominate Donald Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize next year. They praised the president for his strong diplomatic efforts and critical leadership during recent conflicts between Pakistan and India. However, India has downplayed Trump’s involvement in the ceasefire discussions.
Pakistani politicians are calling on their government to withdraw a nomination due to recent U.S. airstrikes in Iran, another Islamic country. They are questioning President Trump’s role as a peacemaker, especially in light of the India-Pakistan conflict earlier in May, according to CNBC.
A politician in Pakistan was quoted as saying, “Trump has backed Israeli actions against Palestine, Syria, Lebanon, and Iran. How can that be seen as a step towards peace?”
Trump’s Peace Prize Claims
Former President Trump has often said that he believes he should win a Nobel Peace Prize, a sentiment shared by some individuals who worked with him during his administration. Matt Gaetz, a former Congressman from Florida, suggested that if Trump could successfully arrange for nuclear inspectors to visit both Iran and Israel, the prize should be renamed the “Trump Peace Prize.” Gaetz’s suggestion came after he had stepped down from being Trump’s chosen candidate for attorney general due to a scandal involving personal allegations
During a press conference last week, Trump stated that he deserves a Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts in Rwanda, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Serbia, and Kosovo, as well as for addressing tensions between India and Pakistan. He believes he should have received the award several times and mentioned the Abraham Accords as another reason for recognition.
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