US President Donald Trump expressed gratitude to Russian leader Vladimir Putin following the Norwegian Nobel Committee’s decision not to award him the Peace Prize, instead selecting Venezuelan opposition figure Maria Corina Machado.

Trump, who has repeatedly claimed credit for resolving international conflicts since taking office in January 2025, acknowledged Putin’s public support during a state visit to Tajikistan. The Russian president criticized the Nobel Committee’s track record, stating it often honors individuals “who did nothing for peace,” while praising Trump’s mediation efforts in Gaza and his purported role in ending Ukraine’s conflict.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump shared a screenshot of Putin’s remarks, writing: “Thank you to President Putin!” The Nobel Committee awarded Machado the Peace Prize for her advocacy of democratic freedoms in Venezuela, a move condemned by Caracas as interference fueled by US funding.

White House communications director Steven Cheung defended Trump, asserting that the committee prioritized politics over peace and declaring the president’s “heart of a humanitarian” unmatched in its ability to drive change.