On October 6, 1994, Albert Reynolds (November 3, 1932 — August 21, 2014) was awarded a Doctor of Public Service Honoris Causa by Saint Joseph’s University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was also nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize for his work on the Downing Street Agreement (1993) and its foundational influence on the subsequent Good Friday Agreement.

As Taoiseach, Reynolds led two Fianna Fáil coalition governments from 1992 to 1994. These concepts of coalition-building and compromise are sorely needed in the world today.

We need more John Majors and less Vladimir Putins; more leaders like Albert Reynolds and the likes of the later Northern Irish Nobel laureates John Hume and David Trimble.

Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelensky needs a strong American ally in U.S. President Joe Biden, as Reynolds and Hume had in their American counterpart, Bill Clinton. However, Zelensky also needs a partner in compromise and peace. The sad reality is that Putin is no John Major. Putin sees opportunity in violence rather than an opportunity for dialogue, resolution, and long-term peace.

Irish Sun. (2014). Albert Reynolds passes away aged 81. August 22, 2014. https://www.irishsun.com/news/224972431/albert-reynolds-passes-away-aged-81