Quick Read
- Donald Trump claims to have ended seven wars, including Ukraine and Armenia-Azerbaijan.
- His peace efforts reignite his campaign for a Nobel Peace Prize.
- Critics argue his methods involve conflict management, not resolution.
- Trump’s most significant achievement remains the Abraham Accords.
Donald Trump, the former and now second-term president of the United States, has once again set his sights on the prestigious Nobel Peace Prize. Known for his bold claims and controversial statements, Trump recently asserted that he has successfully “ended seven wars” during his time in office. This ambitious declaration has reignited both his supporters’ admiration and his critics’ skepticism.
Trump’s Bold Claims: Ending Seven Wars
On August 18, 2025, during a high-profile summit at the White House with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and other European leaders, Trump declared, “I’ve ended six wars.” The next day, he corrected himself in an interview with Fox News, stating, “We ended seven wars.” The conflicts he referred to include long-standing disputes in Ukraine, Armenia-Azerbaijan, Thailand-Cambodia, Rwanda-DR Congo, Israel-Iran, India-Pakistan, and Serbia-Kosovo.
While some of these claims are based on partial resolutions or ceasefires, others are more contentious. For instance, Trump’s administration played a role in mediating a peace agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan on August 8, 2025, following decades of conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh. Similarly, his intervention in the Israel-Iran conflict, which saw U.S. airstrikes on Iranian nuclear sites, was framed as a critical step toward a ceasefire.
However, experts like Dr. Samir Puri from Chatham House argue that Trump’s actions often fall under “conflict management” rather than “conflict resolution.” Dr. Puri notes that while Trump’s efforts may have brought temporary calm, the underlying issues remain unresolved.
The Nobel Peace Prize Campaign
Trump’s fascination with the Nobel Peace Prize is not new. Back in 2019, during his first term, he claimed that Japan’s then-Prime Minister Shinzo Abe had nominated him for the prize following his summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. Trump has repeatedly expressed frustration at what he perceives as an unfair process, comparing himself to $1 Barack Obama, who won the prize in 2009.
In 2025, Trump’s press secretary Karoline Leavitt has described him as the “peace president,” emphasizing his achievements in conflict resolution. Leaders like Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet have also endorsed his nomination. However, critics argue that such endorsements are often politically motivated.
Analyzing the Seven Wars
The conflicts Trump claims to have ended span across continents and vary in complexity:
- Ukraine: Trump has been deeply involved in peace talks, but the conflict remains far from resolved.
- Armenia-Azerbaijan: A peace deal was brokered in Washington, but tensions in Nagorno-Karabakh persist.
- Israel-Iran: A brief ceasefire followed U.S. airstrikes, but experts warn the conflict is far from over.
- India-Pakistan: Trump claimed credit for a ceasefire in May 2025, though Indian officials deny U.S. involvement.
- Thailand-Cambodia: A ceasefire was reached after Trump threatened economic sanctions.
- Rwanda-DR Congo: Trump facilitated a peace agreement, but the Rwandan-backed M23 rebel group remains active.
- Serbia-Kosovo: Trump’s role in preventing a skirmish is disputed, with no substantial progress on long-term issues.
While these efforts have earned Trump nominations for the Nobel Peace Prize, experts like Dr. Theo Zenou of the Henry Jackson Society caution against overstating their significance. Zenou notes that the Abraham Accords, which normalized relations between Israel and several Arab states during Trump’s first term, remain his most significant diplomatic achievement.
Challenges to Trump’s Narrative
Critics argue that Trump’s approach to peacemaking is transactional and lacks depth. Dr. Puri describes his strategy as one of economic inducements and punishments, rather than addressing the root causes of conflicts. For instance, Trump’s intervention in the Thailand-Cambodia border dispute involved leveraging U.S. tariffs rather than fostering genuine dialogue.
Moreover, some of the conflicts Trump claims to have resolved are still simmering. In the case of the Israel-Iran conflict, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei dismissed the U.S. strikes as ineffective, while experts warn that tensions could flare up again at any moment.
Despite these criticisms, Trump’s lack of direct military intervention in most cases is seen as a positive. Dr. Zenou notes that while Trump’s claims may be exaggerated, they reflect an attempt to engage with global conflicts in a way that minimizes U.S. military involvement.
What Lies Ahead?
As Trump continues to campaign for the Nobel Peace Prize, his efforts in Ukraine are likely to be the ultimate test of his legacy as a peacemaker. According to Dr. Puri, “Ukraine is the one on which his record will be judged.” Whether or not Trump’s claims of ending seven wars hold up to scrutiny, his approach to diplomacy—marked by bold declarations and unconventional methods—has undoubtedly left a mark on the global stage.
Only time will tell whether Donald Trump’s self-proclaimed title of “peace president” will translate into the recognition he so fervently seeks from the Nobel committee.