White House Names Pashinyan, Aliyev, Netanyahu Among Leaders Backing Trump for Nobel Peace Prize

The White House has released a list of world leaders who support nominating U.S. President Donald Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize. The list includes Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet, Gabon’s President Brice Oligui Nguema, the Government of Pakistan, and Rwanda’s Foreign Minister Olivier Nduhungirehe.

Pashinyan’s support for Trump’s nomination came during an August 9 event at the White House, where he joined other leaders in endorsing the idea. 

“I believe President Trump deserves the Nobel Peace Prize,” Pashinyan said. “We will defend this and make efforts in that direction. Today’s event is the best proof of that. We hope we will be invited.” Trump responded, “You’ll be sitting in the front row.”

Azerbaijan’s President Aliyev also expressed his support for the deal. He said, “Perhaps Prime Minister Pashinyan and I could agree to jointly apply to the Nobel Committee to award President Trump the Nobel Peace Prize.” He added that “for leaders of countries that have been at war for more than three decades to have such a historic signing here is a tangible result — the result of President Trump’s leadership,” noting that many other presidents had tried since the 1990s without success.

The endorsements took place during a ceremony for a U.S.-brokered agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan. Supporters describe the deal as a step toward ending decades of conflict. However, many in Armenia have expressed concern that it may not bring lasting peace, as key issues remain unresolved, including the treatment of Armenian prisoners of war and the forced displacement of Armenians from Artsakh.

During a press briefing after the signing, a journalist asked Pashinyan whether the Armenians from Artsakh would be allowed to return, and also about his thoughts on the talk of President Trump winning the Nobel Peace Prize. Pashinyan ignored the first part of the question and instead joked about the second, reiterating his support for awarding Trump the prize.

Critics say the agreement celebrated in Washington may strengthen U.S. diplomacy but does little to address the root causes of the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict. They point out that the deal does not guarantee the safe return of all prisoners, protect Armenian heritage, or ensure fair negotiations over disputed territories.

While the White House has framed the event as a historic breakthrough, concerns remain in Yerevan and across the Armenian diaspora that the agreement offers symbolic gestures rather than real security or justice for Armenia.

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