Russian President Vladimir Putin has been nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize.

The former KGB agent has been recommended by an activist group because he ‘actively promotes settlement of all conflicts arising on the planet’.

His attempts to prevent a US air strike on Syria after suspected chemical weapons attacks on civilians was also given as a reason behind the recognition.

The letter of recommedationn read: ‘Being the leader of one of the leading nations of the world, Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin makes efforts to maintain peace and tranquillity not only on the territory of his own country but also actively promotes settlement of all conflicts arising on the planet’ The New York Times reported.

Russian singer and MP Iosif Kobzon, backed the nomination comparing his actions to that of the US President, who won the same prize in 2009.

Previous winners of the prize have included Martin Luther King, Mother Teresa and Desmond Tutu.

The winner of this year’s prize will be announced on October 11 and the deadline for the 2014 Nobel Peace Prize nominations is in February.