President Donald Trump described it as “very nice” when former 2016 presidential rival Hillary Clinton said she would nominate him for a Nobel Peace Prize if he helps end Russia’s invasion of Ukraine without forcing Kyiv to concede territory.
“Well, uh, that was … very nice,” Trump told Fox News’ Bret Baier on Friday aboard Air Force One, before adding, “I may have to start liking her again.”
The president made the remarks while traveling to Alaska for a high-stakes meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, where he hopes to broker a resolution to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
Clinton’s surprising offer came during an interview on the “Raging Moderates” podcast, where she praised Trump’s potential role in ending the bloodiest war in Europe since World War II.
“Honestly, if he could bring about the end to this terrible war, if he could end it without putting Ukraine in a position where it had to concede its territory to the aggressor, could really stand up to Putin — something we haven’t seen, but maybe this is the opportunity — if President Trump were the architect of that, I’d nominate him for a Nobel Peace Prize,” she told host Jessica Tarlov.
“Because my goal here is to not allow capitulation to Putin,” Clinton added, emphasizing that any peace deal must protect Ukrainian sovereignty.
Her comments mark a rare moment of public acknowledgment of Trump’s potential diplomatic influence from a longtime political opponent, per the New York Post.
Trump has expressed confidence in his ability to facilitate a deal, suggesting that the risk of failure remains low. He told reporters the chance of failure is just 25%, pointing to what he believes is Putin’s willingness to negotiate.
The president has positioned himself as a mediator, aiming to bring the two sides to an agreement that ends hostilities while preserving Ukraine’s territorial integrity.
This is not the first time Trump has been considered for the Nobel Peace Prize. He was previously nominated by Rep. Buddy Carter (R-Ga.) and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for helping secure a cease-fire between Israel and Iran.
The governments of Pakistan and Cambodia have also indicated that they have nominated Trump for his role in settling disputes involving India and Thailand, respectively.
Trump’s involvement in peace negotiations between Azerbaijan and Armenia further strengthened his international profile, with leaders from both nations expressing support for his recognition. These nominations underscore his ongoing role in international diplomacy, despite skepticism from some critics.
The Norwegian Nobel Committee is expected to announce the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize winner on October 10. Until then, Trump’s potential nomination by Clinton adds to the growing list of endorsements highlighting his diplomatic efforts.
The Alaska summit is part of Trump’s broader effort to mediate between Russia and Ukraine, following months of back-channel discussions and public statements calling for an end to hostilities without Ukrainian territorial concessions.
Trump has held multiple meetings with Ukrainian and Russian officials, emphasizing that any resolution must maintain Ukraine’s sovereignty while reducing civilian casualties.
