Ukrainian Lawmaker Withdraws Trump Nobel Nomination Amid Stalled Peace Talks

Oleksandr Merezhko, head of Ukraine's parliamentary foreign committee, has withdrawn his nomination of U.S. President Donald Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize, citing a loss of faith in Trump's ability to secure a ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine amid stalled peace talks. Merezhko criticized Trump for evading the need to impose sanctions on Russia and for his limited response to recent Russian attacks on Kyiv, accusing him of choosing appeasement over confrontation. Trump had promised to end the war within 24 hours upon taking office in January 2025 but failed to deliver a peace deal despite advocating for a 30-day ceasefire that Russia rejected. While Ukraine accepted a U.S. proposal for ceasefire talks, Russia has not agreed, and escalating military actions have continued, including Ukraine's drone attacks and Russia's strikes on Kyiv. Meanwhile, Trump brokered a ceasefire between Iran and Israel, shifting U.S. attention to the Middle East and raising concerns among Ukrainian officials about the focus and resources available for Ukraine's conflict. Despite the withdrawal, other nominations for Trump persist, including from Pakistan for his diplomatic role in South Asia and from Republican Buddy Carter for his efforts in the Middle East conflict.