Nobel Laureates Urge Trump and Putin to Meet for Urgent Denuclearisation Talks

In a significant and urgent appeal, three Nobel Peace Prize-winning organizations have called on US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin to engage in direct talks aimed at denuclearisation. Highlighting the perilous state of global nuclear tensions, these groups urged the two leaders to revive the spirit of Cold War diplomacy and negotiate a meaningful path toward disarmament.

The joint letter was sent by Japan’s atomic bomb survivors’ group Nihon Hidankyo, which won the Nobel Peace Prize last year, the 2017 laureate International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN), and the 1985 winner International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War. According to ICAN’s statement released on Monday, the letter emphasized the urgent need for action at a time described as the most dangerous for nuclear escalation in decades.

“At this moment of extreme nuclear danger, we call on you to take urgent steps to de-escalate tensions and to engage in meaningful negotiations for nuclear disarmament,” the Nobel laureates wrote to Trump and Putin. The letter stressed that between them, the United States and Russia possess over 90 percent of the world’s nuclear arsenal, placing a unique responsibility on their shoulders to lead the way toward a safer world.

The appeal follows President Trump's expressed desire for global denuclearisation after his return to office in January, coupled with signals from the Kremlin indicating a willingness to explore the idea. The groups argue that the current geopolitical climate surrounding nuclear weapons is the most volatile it has been in decades, warning that the consequences of a nuclear confrontation would be catastrophic for all humankind.

Drawing inspiration from the Cold War era, the Nobel laureates urged Trump and Putin to follow the example set by their predecessors Ronald Reagan and Mikhail Gorbachev. The two leaders famously met in Reykjavik, Iceland, in 1986 and agreed on the most significant reductions ever in their nuclear forces. That summit, although initially seen as a failure, laid the groundwork for the landmark Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty.

The Nobel-winning groups emphasized that "the expansion of nuclear weapons capabilities is not a route to safety." Instead, they argued, it heightens the risk of these devastating weapons being used, whether accidentally or deliberately. They highlighted the pressing need to prioritize disarmament over militarization, pointing out that nuclear weapons are not an inevitable reality but a man-made threat that can and must be dismantled.

"They were built by human hands, and they can be dismantled by human hands," the letter said. "All that's required is political will."

The urgency of this appeal is underscored by the growing instability in various global hotspots, where nuclear-armed states are increasingly at odds. Renewed US-Russia dialogue could not only avert immediate risks but also reinvigorate international efforts to advance global non-proliferation treaties and reinforce the nuclear taboo that has held since 1945.

By coming together to make this appeal, Nihon Hidankyo, ICAN, and the International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War are sending a powerful message that the voices of peace are united and resolute. These organizations represent survivors, activists, and medical professionals who understand intimately the devastating human consequences of nuclear war and are working tirelessly to prevent future tragedies.

The call for Trump and Putin to meet is not just about symbolic gestures; it is about practical, immediate steps to reduce arsenals, restore treaties that have eroded in recent years, and set new standards for responsible leadership in the nuclear age.

As the letter circulates and gains international attention, it remains to be seen whether the two leaders will heed this urgent call. The world is at a crossroads, facing choices that could either doom future generations to live under the constant threat of annihilation or lead toward a new era of security and cooperation.

In the words of the Nobel laureates, dismantling nuclear weapons is not just a political issue but a moral imperative. At a time when global trust is fragile and the specter of conflict looms large, the need for courageous, visionary leadership has never been greater.

The world watches and waits, hoping that Trump and Putin will choose dialogue over destruction, diplomacy over disaster, and peace over peril. The opportunity for a safer world is within reach, but only if leaders have the courage to grasp it.