Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton made headlines by stating she would nominate President Donald Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize if he successfully ends the Ukraine conflict without requiring Ukraine to cede territory to Russia. This unexpected announcement, from a prominent critic of Trump, was made on Wednesday, August 13, 2025, just two days before Trump’s summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska.
Clinton revealed her stance during an appearance on the “Raging Moderates” podcast, expressing that Trump could be deserving of the prestigious award if he appropriately addresses the Ukraine situation. “I understand from everything I’ve read that [Trump] would very much like to receive a Nobel Peace Prize,” Clinton commented.
Clinton, who was the Democratic presidential candidate defeated by Trump in 2016, specified conditions under which she would support his nomination. She emphasized that Trump must resolve the war without compromising Ukraine by making it give land to Russia or endorsing Putin’s aspirations for an expanded Russia.
Clinton further stated that Trump must firmly confront Putin, insisting on a ceasefire with no territorial exchanges. She also highlighted the necessity for Putin to withdraw from areas he has captured over time.
“Look, if we could pull that off, if President Trump were the architect of that, I’d nominate him for a Nobel Peace Prize, because my goal here is not to allow capitulation to Putin, aided and abetted by the United States,” Clinton declared.
This statement came as Trump was scheduled to meet with Putin on Friday, August 15, 2025, at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage, Alaska. The meeting marked their first face-to-face encounter since 2019. The location in Alaska was symbolic, being just 55 miles from Russia across the Bering Strait.
Trump announced the meeting on his Truth Social platform earlier in the week, stating that the pivotal meeting with Putin would occur in Alaska. This announcement followed the expiration of Trump’s deadline for Russia to agree to a ceasefire, which passed without significant developments.
Trump has been actively advocating for an end to the Ukraine conflict, which began over three years ago with Russia’s invasion in February 2022. During his campaign, Trump had pledged to resolve the war swiftly, even claiming he could accomplish it in 24 hours.
However, Trump had indicated that a potential peace agreement might involve territorial exchanges between the countries, a notion that had alarmed Ukrainian officials, who insisted they would not concede any land to Russia. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky had made it clear that Ukraine will not give its land to the occupier.
The Ukrainian constitution actually prohibits ceding territory without approval via a national referendum, posing a significant challenge to any peace talks involving land swaps.
Trump had expressed frustration with both Putin and Zelensky over the slow progress of peace negotiations. He told Fox News Radio prior to the summit that he was convinced Putin was going to make a deal. “I’m convinced that he [Putin] is going to make a deal. He’s going to make a deal. I think he’s going to, and we’re going to find out. I’m going to know very quickly,” Trump said.
The president had positioned himself as uniquely capable of negotiating with Putin due to their personal relationship. He had hinted that the Alaska meeting could pave the way for a three-way summit involving Zelensky if successful.
Trump’s aspiration for Nobel recognition has been a well-known aspect of his political career. A White House official informed NBC News that the president felt he deserved the Nobel Peace Prize but doubted he would receive it. The official noted that Trump had complained that the prize would likely be awarded to someone writing a book about him rather than to Trump himself.
The Trump administration has been highlighting the president’s record in peace-making. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated before the summit that Trump had brokered approximately one peace deal or ceasefire per month during his six months in office. She emphasized that it was well past time that Trump was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.
The administration cited several agreements Trump facilitated, including those between Armenia and Azerbaijan, India and Pakistan, and Israel and Iran. Yet, a Russia-Ukraine peace deal would represent Trump’s most significant accomplishment and best opportunity to secure the Nobel Prize.
The war in Ukraine had been the deadliest conflict in Europe for decades, resulting in hundreds of thousands of deaths and displacing millions. European leaders have been concerned that any peace agreement rewarding Russian aggression could embolden Putin to target other nations.
Clinton’s offer to nominate Trump signifies a notable shift from her usual criticism of his foreign policy. As a former first lady and senator, she has been one of Trump’s most vocal Democratic critics, particularly regarding his previous interactions with Putin. Her willingness to back a Nobel nomination underscores the gravity of the Ukraine crisis and the significance of any successful peace agreement.
On August 15, Trump met with Putin for talks that concluded without a formal deal. However, the discussions indicated Trump’s openness to exploring a resolution to the Ukraine war that could involve Kyiv relinquishing territory to Moscow. While no ceasefire emerged, Trump hinted that such concessions might be necessary to end the fighting—an approach that aligns more closely with Putin’s terms than with Ukraine’s stance. The reaction from allies was measured, with many cautioning that granting territorial gains through force could erode global norms.
Three days later, on August 18, attention turns to Washington, where Ukrainian President Zelenskyy is joining Trump at the White House, along with European leaders such as Britain’s Keir Starmer, France’s Emmanuel Macron, and Germany’s Friedrich Merz. These discussions focus on whether the United States will continue its strong backing for Ukraine or shift toward advocating a peace deal that demands Kyiv surrender land. Zelenskyy has been unwavering in rejecting any agreement involving territorial loss, while European leaders push for solid security assurances and lasting defense commitments.
The summit is widely viewed as pivotal for determining the direction of Western aid to Ukraine, amid growing European anxiety that the U.S. may scale back its involvement.
