Could Trump Get the Nobel Peace Prize? Hillary Clinton Says It Could Happen, But Only If

In a surprise turn of events, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has stated she would think about nominating former President Donald Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize if he can get Ukraine and Russia to agree on a fair peace accord.

The declaration comes just before Trump’s meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Anchorage, Alaska, on Friday afternoon. Trump has downplayed the idea that this meeting will lead to a peace deal between Ukraine and Russia right away, but he has made it clear that he wants to get Putin to the bargaining table.

Earlier this week, Trump warned Russia that it would suffer “very severe consequences” if it didn’t stop the war. This meeting is a result of that warning. When asked if these penalties would be in the shape of tariffs or sanctions, Trump didn’t say what they would be.

Tensions are still high because the U.S. set a deadline last Friday for fresh penalties to go into effect unless Putin started real conversations. The talks have been very heated over the idea of territorial swaps, which Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has firmly opposed.

Clinton, who has been one of Trump’s most vocal political opponents, made it clear that she does not support any deal that rewards Putin for being aggressive. She highlighted that any peace settlement must respect Ukraine’s borders and make sure that no concessions are made that support Russia’s desire to expand.

Clinton stated, “Yes, I’d nominate Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize if he can help get a ceasefire without making Ukraine give up any of its land and make sure that Putin pulls back from the areas he has taken.” She went on to say that this kind of success would not only preserve Ukraine’s democracy, but also the security interests of the US and Europe as a whole.

Clinton noted that this kind of conclusion would be unprecedented, but she is ready to “dream” of a time when Trump utilizes his power to stand up to Putin. She said that the chance to win the renowned Nobel Prize might even push Trump to try to make a historic peace deal.

Trump has intimated that he would meet with President Zelenskyy again soon after his conversations with Putin. But the two countries at war are still very far from agreeing on terms.

People have been asking for Trump to get the Nobel Peace Prize for a long time. His supporters, such as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, some U.S. House Republicans, and even parliamentarians in Norway, have already backed the notion, citing his past diplomatic work in the Middle East and Korea.

It is yet unclear if this most recent diplomatic expedition could put Trump in the race for one of the world’s most renowned awards. For now, the political world is keeping a careful eye on the situation as an unexpected chance for peace—and an even more improbable political endorsement—takes form.

Sources:

• Statements from Hillary Clinton

• Remarks from Donald Trump

• Official meeting schedules and political statements

• Public records of international peace prize nominations