Ukrainian lawmaker Oleksandr Merezhko, who once believed Donald Trump could broker peace between Kyiv and Moscow, has officially withdrawn his Nobel Peace Prize nomination. The withdrawal comes as hopes for a negotiated ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia continue to fade and Trump’s diplomatic focus has shifted toward the Middle East.
Merezhko, chair of Ukraine’s parliamentary foreign committee, initially nominated Trump in November, banking on the Republican leader’s vow to end the war in 24 hours if re-elected. But with Russia still holding out on US proposals and Ukraine under fresh attack, Merezhko now says Trump has failed to follow through, accusing him of appeasement, silence on missile strikes, and reluctance to sanction the Kremlin.
While Trump appeared more invested in brokering a ceasefire between Iran and Israel, an effort Ukraine fears could redirect American military resources and political capital, Kyiv is left watching its war slip further from global priority.
Trump recently told followers he was watching oil prices, but Ukrainian officials say those rising prices may only benefit Russia as tensions in the Middle East drive markets upward. Meanwhile, the EU is backing away from a new price cap on Russian oil.
Despite the setback from Ukraine, Trump’s international standing took a twist after Pakistan pledged to nominate him for the next Nobel Peace Prize, calling him a genuine peacemaker for his involvement in calming tensions between Pakistan and India. India, however, is not giving him that much credit.
