The chair of Norwegian Nobel Committee informed that the decision for Nobel Peace Prize 2025 had already been made on Monday, adding that the possible Israel-Gaza peace deal would only be considered for next year’s award.The Norwegian committee has been on edge amid growing pressure from US President Donald Trump for Nobel Peace Prize for claiming to have ended “seven wars”. With Gaza deal in the pipeline, another one has been added to the list.This year’s decision was finalized on Monday, Bloomberg reported citing head of the independent Nobel Committee, Jorgen Watne Frydnes’ interview to Norwegian tabloid VG. Speaking to public broadcaster NRK, he clarified that any potential Middle East peace deal would only be considered for next year’s award.Nominations for this year’s prize closed on January 31, soon after Trump’s return to the White House. Notably, Barack Obama received the honor in 2009, only a few months into his first term as president.Trump, however, on Thursday indicated that the committee would “find a reason” not to give him the award.“I have no idea… Marco would tell you we settled seven wars. We’re close to settling an eighth. I think we’ll end up settling the Russia situation… I don’t think anybody in history has settled that many. But perhaps they’ll find a reason not to give it to me,” he said.
Why is Norway on edge?
Norway is on edge ahead because of intense pressure from Trump and his team, who have been aggressively lobbying for the award. Trump has publicly declared he deserves the prize, while his son Eric and the White House have amplified the campaign online — turning it into a political spectacle.Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu also called for Nobel Prize for Trump. “Give @realDonaldTrump the Nobel Peace Prize – he deserves it!” he posted on X.This push has placed Oslo in an awkward position, as the Nobel Committee operates independently but is based in Norway. Observers fear that denying Trump the prize could trigger diplomatic tension or backlash from Washington.The Scandinavian nation is negotiating a trade deal with the US, seeking relief from a 15% tariff on its exports, while trade minister Cecilie Myrseth meets officials in Washington. There are also concerns that Trump could target Norway’s $2 trillion sovereign wealth fund, nearly 40% of which is invested in the US.Meanwhile, foreign minister Espen Barth Eide emphasized that the Norwegian government has no role in influencing the Nobel Committee’s decisions, Bloomberg reported.
