Ukraine steps up Trump charm effort with Nobel overtures
KYIV, Oct 9 (Reuters) – Ukraine has yet to convince Donald Trump to put sufficient pressure on Russia to force it to negotiate a peace deal, so it has deployed a new lobbying tactic: nominate the U.S. president for the Nobel Peace Prize.
With Trump openly coveting the prestigious award, President Volodymyr Zelenskiy floated the idea in a briefing to reporters, two days ahead of the announcement of this year’s winner who would have been selected earlier in the autumn.
“If Trump gives the world – above all, the Ukrainian people – the chance for such a ceasefire, then yes, he should be nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize,” Zelenskiy said in comments released Thursday.
“We will nominate him on behalf of Ukraine.”
Zelenskiy has worked hard to win Trump’s support, and appears to be making some headway.
Tomahawk missiles top Kyiv’s wishlist of U.S. weapons it believes can inflict serious damage on Russia and force it to the table. Trump, who has expressed frustration with Russia’s Vladimir Putin, has signalled he is open to providing them.
Trump has said he deserved the Nobel award, given to four of his White House predecessors, for what he has described as his efforts in securing numerous peace deals.
