Ukrainian lawmaker Oleksandr Merezhko has withdrawn his Nobel Peace Prize nomination for President Donald Trump, saying he “lost any sort of faith and belief” in Trump’s ability to broker peace between Ukraine and Russia.
Merezhko, who heads Ukraine’s parliamentary foreign committee, said he had formally withdrawn the nomination, which he originally submitted in November, according to Newsweek.
The decision reflects mounting frustration in Kyiv over Trump’s foreign policy shift toward the Middle East, especially as Ukraine continues to face Russian aggression.
From Bold Promise to Withdrawal
After returning to the office in January, Trump pledged to end the war between Russia and Ukraine in just 24 hours.
But that quick resolution never came. Although Ukraine agreed to a U.S. ceasefire proposal in March, Russia has yet to follow suit.
Merezhko criticized Trump for failing to take decisive action.
“Trump is evading—he is dodging—the need to impose sanctions on Russia,” he said.
He also pointed to Trump’s lack of response to large-scale Russian strikes on Kyiv, saying, “He has chosen the path of appeasement.”
Trump had warned in late May that if Russian President Vladimir Putin was stalling negotiations, the U.S. would “respond a little bit differently.”
That self-imposed two-week deadline has passed without any meaningful follow-up.
Eyes on the Middle East
Meanwhile, Trump has focused heavily on tensions in the Middle East.
Over the weekend, he ordered U.S. strikes on three Iranian nuclear sites and soon after announced a ceasefire between Israel and Iran.
“PLEASE DO NOT VIOLATE IT!” he posted on Truth Social.
This redirection of U.S. attention has alarmed Ukrainian officials, who are concerned about dwindling Western support and rising oil prices that could benefit Russia.
Merezhko warned that Trump’s shift in focus could result in fewer weapons for Ukraine and less political leverage.
The European Union has reportedly paused plans for a new price cap on Russian oil exports due to concerns over global oil prices.
Trump and the Nobel Peace Prize
Trump has been trying to win a Nobel Peace Prize for years and often points to his involvement in international deals to back up his case.
In addition to the Israel-Iran ceasefire, he often points to the Abraham Accords and diplomatic involvement in conflicts between India and Pakistan, and between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Rep. Buddy Carter, (R-GA), nominated Trump again this week, praising his efforts to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons.
Sen. Lindsey Graham, (R-S.C.) told CNN that if Trump succeeds in changing Iran’s behavior, he “deserves a Nobel Peace Prize on steroids.”
Trump himself has criticized the prize process.
“I should have gotten it four or five times . . . they won’t give me a Nobel Peace Prize because they only give it to liberals,” he told reporters Friday.
Still, the Norwegian Nobel Committee does not reveal nominee names, and it’s unclear if Trump remains in the running after Merezhko’s withdrawal.
The 2025 Nobel Peace Prize will be announced Oct. 10.
Pakistan has also nominated Trump for the 2026 prize, praising his role in calming tensions with India earlier this year.
India, however, has downplayed Trump’s involvement.
While Trump continues to promote himself as a global peacemaker, Merezhko’s withdrawal sends a strong message: for some, words and declarations are no longer enough.
IMAGE CREDIT: “President Donald Trump” by Gage Skidmore, via Flickr. Licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0. Image adjusted for layout.