The Norwegian Nobel Committee has rejected Ukraine President Zelenskyy’s nomination for a Nobel Peace Prize as they ‘can't extend the deadline'.
A group of political leaders wrote to the Committee requesting them to extend 2022 nominations to March 31, so they could throw the wartime hero’s hat in the ring.
The letter, issued by European world leaders, read: "We are witness to the courage of the people of Ukraine withstanding this war waged upon them by the Russian Federation.
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“Brave Ukrainian men and women are fighting to preserve democracy and self-government.
“From the defiant democratically-elected Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to the man with tears in his eyes saying goodbye to his family to fight for his country, people all over Ukraine are rising up to resist the forces of authoritarianism.”
It continued: “We believe that now is the time to show the people of Ukraine that the world is on their side.”
The letter was signed by 36 European leaders, including politicians from Germany, the UK, Sweden, Estonia, Bulgaria, Slovakia, Netherlands and Romania.
However, TASS reported that the Director of the Norwegian Nobel Institute Olav Njolstad said the Committee wouldn’t open the nomination procedure back up as it was already finalised.
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“Generally speaking, the Committee cannot extend the Nobel Peace Prize nomination period, which expired on January 31," Mr Njolstad said.
"However, commission members have the right to nominate their candidates before the commission's first formal annual meeting.”
With the deadline for submitting candidates for the Nobel Peace Prize expiring at the end of January, the shortlist consideration is now underway.
The letter requesting President Zelenskyy to be included in the nominations comes just days after the Ukrainian leader received a three-minute standing ovation before his speech to the US Congress, where he asked for further support to battle Russia.
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House Speaker Nancy Pelosi introduced the Ukraine President, which led to another round of applause from global leaders.
“I have the high privilege and distinct honour of presenting to you the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky. Slava Ukraini!" she said.
In his speech, Zelenskyy spoke about the deaths of 97 children due to the Russian invasion and requested that US and NATO impose a no-fly zone over Ukraine.
During this speech, footage from the war also emerged on screen, showing the brutal attacks by Russian troops, which ended with the message, ‘close the sky over Ukraine.’
Charisa Bossinakis