European politicians want to nominate Zelensky for Nobel Peace Prize

Several European politicians have asked the Nobel Peace Prize Committee to allow the nomination of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky for the award, seeking an extension on the nomination deadline.

In a letter, a group of current and former politicians, including ex-PMs, called on the committee "to reopen and reconsider the 2022 nomination procedure" to allow the nomination of Zelenskyy and the people of Ukraine "in light of historically unprecedented events".

The original nomination deadline for the Nobel Peace Prize for 2022 had expired in January.

Making an exception to allow for Zelensky’s nomination would "show the people of Ukraine that the world is on their side", the letter said.

The signatories included Belgian and Estonian ex-Prime Ministers Guy Verhofstadt and Andrus Ansip, former EU commissioner Neelie Kroes, former Dutch and Estonian ministers, as well as former and current members of the European Parliament.

The Ukrainian leader, a former TV actor and comedian, has received worldwide praise and acclaim for showing bravery and resilience as his country fights for survival since Russia invaded Ukraine on 24 February.

The US government and, according to sources, Turkey’s president, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, have offered to get Zelenskiy out of Ukraine to prevent his capture but has refused to leave.

On Friday, Zelensky said that 130 people had been saved after the bombing of a theatre in the port city of Mariupol, besieged by Russian forces, but that "hundreds" were still trapped in rubble.

He promised to continue rescue operations in Mariupol "despite shelling" in the southern city that has suffered vast destruction.