Czech diplomats call for Zelensky to be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize

Czech Catholic priest, theologian, and philosopher Tomáš Halík and former diplomat and director of the Václav Havel Library Michael Žantovský have proposed that this year's Nobel Peace Prize be awarded to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

In the letter sent to the chairwoman of the Norwegian Nobel Committee, Berit Reiss-Andersen, the diplomats said that by resisting the Russian aggression at the head of the Ukrainian nation, Zelensky was defending peace for the whole of Europe.

The letter said the Russian invasion of Ukraine was not just a local conflict.

"This has become a symbol of the fight for universal values," it reads.

Russian President Vladimir Putin initially occupied the regions near the border, then tried to take the whole of Ukraine and, if not stopped by the democratic world, he would continue even further, the letter warned.

The letter noted that after the war started, Zelensky had the chance to leave the country for safety abroad.

However, he chose the second option and stayed in his homeland as the supreme commander of its armed forces to ensure that millions of Ukrainians did not feel abandoned in times of crisis.

"He has set an example of courage, one of the most important human qualities. He is a man who inspires the world by his humane approach and conviction," the letter said.

Halík previously stated that Zelensky deserved the Nobel Peace Prize on March 12, when receiving the Comenius Award in the Netherlands.

He said the prize should be awarded to Zelensky and the people of Ukraine.

Last year, the Nobel Peace Prize was awarded jointly to journalists Dmitry Muratov from Russia and Maria Ressa from the Philippines for their fight for freedom of speech.

The Norwegian Nobel Peace Prize Committee will announce this year's laureate in early October.