Oslo Professor Nominates Zelensky and Ukraine for Nobel Peace Prize as World Rallies Behind 'Unbreakable' Nation

A University of Oslo professor has formally nominated President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and the Ukrainian people for the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize, sparking a wave of international support that underscores how deeply the world admires Ukraine's resilience in the face of Russian aggression.

An Academic Makes It Official

Professor Roman Sheremeta, who studies religion at Norway's prestigious University of Oslo, used his formal nominating authority to put Ukraine's cause before the Nobel Committee. As one of the thousands of academics worldwide entitled to submit Nobel nominations, Sheremeta's action carries official weight and adds Ukraine to the list of candidates being considered for the world's most prestigious peace honour.

The nomination has resonated across social media, drawing endorsement from prominent figures including Michael McFaul, former United States Ambassador to Russia, who responded simply with "great choice!" The outpouring of support reflects a broader sentiment that Ukraine's stand against unprovoked aggression represents exactly the kind of courage the Peace Prize was designed to honour.

The Spirit That Cannot Be Broken

While diplomats and academics debate honours, ordinary Ukrainians continue to demonstrate why they deserve such recognition. In Dnipro, where temperatures have plunged to minus fifteen degrees Celsius with wind chill making it feel like minus twenty, a video of two elderly men playing chess outdoors in the snow has captured hearts worldwide.

The image is striking: with their homes often lacking power due to Russian attacks on infrastructure, these Ukrainians refuse to let their daily lives be defined by war. The video has garnered over 15,000 engagements, with viewers from Britain, Australia, and across Europe expressing admiration for a nation that plays chess in the snow while its cities are bombed.

"I love the Ukrainian people," wrote one viewer, while another noted: "I so want to go to Ukraine and hug as many people as I can!" The scene stands in sharp contrast to the narrative Russian propaganda attempts to project, of a broken nation ready to surrender.

From Comedian to Historic Figure

For many observers, Zelenskyy's journey embodies Ukraine's own transformation under fire. Once known as a comedian who voiced Paddington Bear in the Ukrainian dub, he has become the face of democratic resistance to authoritarianism. Social media is filled with comparisons to historical figures who rose to meet existential challenges, from Winston Churchill to David.

"Zelenskyy was chosen and rose to the occasion," wrote one supporter, placing him in a lineage of unlikely heroes throughout history. The European response to his leadership has been remarkable, with the EU committing over 216 billion euros in support while rallying member states to provide everything from weapons to emergency generators.

Europe Stands With Ukraine

The Nobel nomination comes as record numbers of Europeans express support for the EU's stance on Ukraine. From South Korea delivering emergency generators to Kyiv to European capitals extending roaming benefits ahead of potential membership, the international community has responded to Ukraine's plight with unprecedented solidarity.

A Ukrainian woman's plea on social media, asking the world not to forget her country amid competing headlines, drew tens of thousands of supportive responses. "We see you, stay strong Ukraine," responded one user, echoing a sentiment shared across borders and languages.

The Norwegian Nobel Committee will announce its decision in October 2026. Whether or not Zelenskyy and the Ukrainian people take home the prize, the nomination itself recognises what has become increasingly clear: Ukraine's fight is not merely for its own territory, but for the principles of sovereignty, democracy, and international law that underpin European security.

What Victory Means

For Ukrainians, the question of recognition matters less than the question of victory. Videos continue to circulate of Russian forces surrendering on the eastern front, of Ukrainian drones crippling Russian industry, of a nation that refuses to break despite everything thrown against it.

The Nobel Peace Prize was established to honour those who have done the most to promote fraternity between nations and the abolition of standing armies. Ukraine did not choose this war, but it has chosen to fight it on behalf of values that Europe holds dear. That alone may make it the most deserving candidate in the prize's history.