Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton made waves in political circles by stating she would nominate President Donald Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize if he successfully ends the Ukraine conflict without compelling Ukraine to cede territory to Russia. This unexpected statement came on Wednesday, August 13, 2025, just ahead of Trump’s meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska.
Clinton revealed her stance during an appearance on the “Raging Moderates” podcast, suggesting Trump could secure the esteemed prize if he appropriately resolves the Ukraine issue. “I understand from everything I’ve read that [Trump] would very much like to receive a Nobel Peace Prize,” Clinton stated.
The former Democratic presidential candidate and Secretary of State, who lost to Trump in 2016, outlined the specific conditions necessary for her endorsement. She emphasized that Trump must conclude the war without placing Ukraine in a disadvantageous position where it must relinquish land to Russia or affirm Putin’s ambitions for an expanded Russia.
Clinton urged Trump to assertively challenge Putin, something she believes has not been done before. She stressed the importance of establishing a ceasefire with no territorial exchanges and insisted that Putin withdraw from areas occupied 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 coincided with Trump’s meeting 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 choice of Alaska is symbolic, as it lies just 55 miles from Russia across the Bering Strait.
Trump had previously announced the meeting on his Truth Social platform, stating that the long-awaited discussion with Putin would occur in Alaska. The declaration followed the expiration of Trump’s deadline for Russia to agree to a ceasefire without significant developments.
Trump has vigorously pursued an end to the Ukraine conflict, which began more than three years ago with Russia’s invasion in February 2022. During his campaign, Trump promised a swift resolution, asserting he could achieve it within 24 hours.
Nonetheless, Trump hinted that any peace agreement might involve territorial adjustments between the nations. This notion displeased Ukrainian officials, who insisted they would not surrender any land to Russia. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has been adamant that Ukraine will not give its land to the occupier.
The Ukrainian constitution prohibits the cession of territory without a national referendum, creating a significant obstacle for peace talks involving land swaps.
Trump expressed frustration with both Putin and Zelensky over the slow progress in peace negotiations. He told Fox News Radio before the summit that he believed Putin would eventually reach an agreement. “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 hinted that the Alaska meeting could lead to a trilateral summit involving Zelensky if progress was made.
Trump’s aspiration for Nobel recognition has been well-documented throughout his political career. A White House official conveyed to NBC News that the president felt deserving of the Nobel Peace Prize but doubted he would receive it. The official noted Trump’s belief that the prize might be awarded to someone who writes a book about him rather than to Trump himself.
The Trump administration has actively promoted the president’s record in facilitating peace. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt highlighted before the summit that Trump had brokered approximately one peace deal or ceasefire per month during his six-month tenure. She asserted that it was long overdue for Trump to be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.
The administration cited several agreements Trump helped negotiate, including deals involving Armenia and Azerbaijan, India and Pakistan, and Israel and Iran. However, a Russia-Ukraine peace agreement would have marked Trump’s most significant achievement and his best opportunity for Nobel recognition.
The war in Ukraine has been the deadliest conflict in Europe in decades, resulting in the deaths of hundreds of thousands and displacing millions. European leaders remain concerned that a peace deal 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. The former first lady and senator has been among Trump’s most vocal Democratic detractors, particularly regarding his past interactions with Putin. Her willingness to support a Nobel nomination underscores the gravity of the Ukraine crisis and the significance of any successful peace agreement.