Trump says he no longer feels obligated to think purely of peace

U.S. President Donald Trump said he no longer feels bound to focus «purely on peace» after not receiving the Nobel Peace Prize, according to a written message he sent to Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre, Reuters reported.

The message was sent in response to an appeal from Støre and Finnish President Alexander Stubb, who had urged Trump to ease tensions amid disagreements over Greenland.

In their letter, the two European leaders called for de-escalation and requested a phone conversation with Trump. His reply came shortly afterward.

In the note, Trump wrote that because Norway had not awarded him the Nobel Peace Prize for what he called «stopping several wars,» he no longer felt obligated «to think purely of peace,» though he added that peace would remain «predominant.» He said he would now focus on «what is good and proper for the United States of America.»

Trump has repeatedly sought recognition from the Nobel Committee, which last year awarded the Peace Prize to Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado. Støre later said he had explained to Trump on several occasions that the prize is decided by an independent committee, not by the Norwegian government.

During a recent White House visit, Machado presented Trump with her Nobel medal, although the Nobel Committee has stated that the award cannot be transferred or shared.

In his message, Trump also renewed his challenge to Danish sovereignty over Greenland, writing that Denmark could not adequately protect the territory from Russia or China and questioning its «right of ownership.»

Meanwhile, Denmark’s sovereignty over Greenland is supported by a range of international treaties and long-standing legal agreements. The U.S. and the kingdom have maintained diplomatic relations for more than two centuries, and Washington has never before questioned Denmark’s sovereignty over the island.