Ukrainian lawmaker Oleksandr Merezhko has withdrawn his Nobel Peace Prize nomination for President Donald Trump, citing Trump's shifting focus from the war in Ukraine to the conflict between Israel and Iran and a growing sense that Trump is appeasing Russia rather than pressuring it toward peace, Newsweek reported.
On Tuesday, Merezhko, chair of Ukraine's parliamentary foreign affairs committee, told Newsweek that he had "lost any sort of faith and belief" in Trump's ability to broker peace between Kyiv and Moscow.
Merezhko said he initially nominated Trump in November 2024, inspired by the president's campaign pledge to end the war in Ukraine within 24 hours of retaking office. But his confidence has faded. Merezhko confirmed he formally submitted a nomination withdrawal on Monday morning.
Trump, who began his second term in January, had vowed to broker an end to what he called Europe's most significant military conflict since World War II. However, progress has been slow. Ukraine accepted a U.S.-drafted peace framework in March, but Russia has yet to agree.
Amid frustration over Moscow's lack of engagement, Trump has appeared unwilling to escalate pressure. "Trump is evading — he is dodging — the need to impose sanctions on Russia," Merezhko said.
Trump acknowledged in late May that the Kremlin may be delaying, saying he would give Russian President Vladimir Putin two weeks to prove good faith. "We'll respond a little bit differently," he warned, if Putin was stalling. That deadline passed two weeks ago without public consequence.
"I don't think Putin took the two weeks seriously," said John Foreman, a former British defense attaché to both Moscow and Kyiv.
Merezhko criticized what he called "virtually no reaction" from Trump to intensified Russian strikes on Kyiv. "He has chosen the path of appeasement," the Ukrainian official said.
Trump's focus has increasingly turned to the Middle East.
On Tuesday, he arrived in The Hague for NATO's largest summit of the year, just after announcing a ceasefire deal between Iran and Israel. "PLEASE DO NOT VIOLATE IT!" Trump posted on Truth Social.
However, the truce remains shaky. Israel Defense Minister Israel Katz ordered retaliatory strikes against Iranian targets in Tehran, accusing the regime of violating the agreement. Iran denied breaking the truce.
The flare-up has sparked concerns in Kyiv over potential U.S. distraction and diverted military resources. Merezhko said Ukrainian officials fear a further drop in Western aid and international focus, especially as oil prices climb.
Higher oil prices could inadvertently benefit Russia, a key global supplier. According to a Politico report Friday, the European Union has paused plans for a new oil price cap on Russian exports due to market volatility.
"EVERYONE, KEEP OIL PRICES DOWN," Trump posted Monday. "I'M WATCHING."
Meanwhile, Trump remains in the hunt for the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize.
Pakistan's government announced Friday it would recommend him for the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize for his "decisive diplomatic intervention and pivotal leadership" in resolving a recent border standoff with India. New Delhi, however, has downplayed Trump's role.
Calling Trump a "genuine peacemaker," Pakistan praised his "commitment to conflict resolution through dialogue."
Jim Thomas ✉
Jim Thomas is a writer based in Indiana. He holds a bachelor's degree in Political Science, a law degree from U.I.C. Law School, and has practiced law for more than 20 years.
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