Edith Hejberg
Let’s take a closer look at the seven conflicts Trump claims to have resolved, and how much credit he can actually claim.
Fresh off nominating himself for a Nobel Peace Prize, Donald Trump now says he’s ended not six, but seven wars.
Speaking at the White House on August 18, Trump declared that he secured peace deals “without even mentioning the word ‘ceasefire.’” The next day, he revised the count to seven, adding the ongoing Ukraine conflict to his list of diplomatic ambitions.
Armenia and Azerbaijan: A Corridor, Not a Peace
Armenia and Azerbaijan signed a deal this August in Washington, years after bitter fighting over Nagorno-Karabakh. Though hailed by Trump as a peace breakthrough, the agreement isn’t a formal peace treaty. It doesn’t resolve the Nagorno-Karabakh dispute, and both sides are still technically at war.
What it did achieve was establishing a transit route for Azerbaijan through Armenia to its Nakhchivan exclave, dubbed the “Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity.” Critics see it more as a geopolitical shift than true peace.
DRC and Rwanda: A Fragile Peace Amid Armed Clashes
In June, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda signed a US-brokered peace agreement following decades of violence stemming from the Rwandan genocide. Millions have been displaced in the region, rich in mineral resources.
But the ceasefire is already under strain. Congo’s military has accused Rwanda-backed rebels of fresh attacks, casting doubt on the agreement’s durability. Trump’s involvement helped bring the parties to the table, but lasting peace remains far from guaranteed.
Israel and Iran: A Ceasefire, Not a Resolution
After a brief but brutal 12-day conflict that included US strikes on Iranian nuclear sites, Trump claimed victory in brokering a ceasefire between Iran and Israel.
He posted: “Officially, Iran will start the CEASEFIRE and, upon the 12th Hour, Israel will start the CEASEFIRE…” But experts stress that it’s a de facto ceasefire rather than a peace accord. Israel retains the right to strike again if Iran restarts nuclear work. One analyst noted that while Trump may deserve some credit, this is not the end of hostilities.
India and Pakistan: Ceasefire or Coincidence?
Tensions flared again in May between India and Pakistan over Kashmir, after India launched strikes in response to a terrorist attack. Trump claimed he secured a “full and immediate ceasefire” after a night of talks.
While Pakistan praised Trump and floated a Nobel nomination, India downplayed his role. An Indian official said negotiations happened directly between the two militaries, without US mediation. Trump’s involvement remains debatable at best.
Cambodia and Thailand: A Ceasefire Under Pressure
Following five days of border fighting in July that left dozens dead, Cambodia and Thailand agreed to a ceasefire. Trump took credit, posting on Truth Social: “I am calling the Acting Prime Minister of Thailand… to request a Ceasefire.”
The deal was signed in Malaysia under US pressure, but violations quickly followed. Both sides accused each other of renewed attacks, while China urged restraint. The situation remains tense, and the ceasefire’s longevity is uncertain.
Egypt and Ethiopia: A War That Never Happened
Trump included Egypt and Ethiopia in his list, despite the fact no war broke out. The dispute centers around Ethiopia’s massive dam on the Nile, which Egypt sees as a threat to its water supply.
During his first term, Trump said: “If I were Egypt, I’d want the water in the Nile.” He later added that Egypt might “blow up the dam.” Ethiopia accused him of inciting conflict. Talks continue, but no formal agreement has been reached. The White House now admits Trump “resolved” a conflict that hadn’t actually begun.
Serbia and Kosovo: Preventing a War That Wasn’t
In 2020, Trump facilitated an economic agreement between Serbia and Kosovo, two nations with a long history of tension. But the former president now claims he stopped a war before it started.
“Serbia, Kosovo was going to go at it… I said you go at it, there’s no trade with the United States,” Trump recounted in June. While tensions were rising, no armed conflict had broken out, making his claim of ending a war largely symbolic.
What About Ukraine?
Trump’s latest ambition is to end the war in Ukraine, which he says should be his next achievement. He’s reportedly pushing for talks, but no progress has been made, and the conflict has only escalated. Trump himself admitted, “I thought it would be easier.”
Nobel Prize Ambitions or Political Posturing?
Trump’s string of peace claims comes amid speculation about a 2025 Nobel Peace Prize nomination. While he’s scored some diplomatic points, many of the agreements are tenuous, incomplete, or based on pre-existing negotiations.
Critics say he’s inflating his role, while supporters view him as a decisive dealmaker.
The Verdict: Fact, Fiction, or Something in Between?
In total, Trump claims credit for resolving conflicts in seven regions, some with real-world impact, others with questionable relevance. While some agreements show signs of progress, many remain fragile or largely symbolic.
Whether he deserves a Peace Prize or just headlines, one thing’s clear: Trump’s narrative around global peacemaking is as controversial as ever.
