Politics
“It’s a failure for Putin”
Two years ago, when Putin’s special operation in Ukraine began, the regions of Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia were “accepted into the Russian Federation”. Does this forced Russification of Ukrainian territories mean that they were conquered? The writer and former French officer, Guillaume Ancel, disputes this.
If the Russian president has made the annexation of Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia official, does this mean that these territories are fully integrated into the Russian Federation? “Absolutely not,” declares Guillaume Ancel in an interview with La Dépêche. The former officer is clear on the matter: “It’s a measure that was imposed by Vladimir Putin. A legalization of his coup de force on a part of Donbass, which is accepted only by himself. Internationally, no leader recognizes these regions as Russian and these territories remain a theater of war. Putin wanted to once again try the maneuver he had successfully carried out for Crimea in 2014. But this time, he failed.”
But what’s happening to these regions? Where is the fighting? According to Guillaume Ancel, it’s precisely because these regions are still at war that “it’s a failure for Moscow. We could say, that in 2014, even if the subject is contested, Russia had taken possession of Crimea. The territory had been integrated, there was a Russian administration set up and a sort of normalization. We even remember that some politicians in our country, I’m thinking in particular of Marine Le Pen or Philippe de Villiers, had recognized this annexation. Here, in Donbass, this is absolutely not the case. I think Putin hoped that Ukraine would give in at some point, but that didn’t happen. As long as these territories are at war, no one can change their legal status since this status remains disputed”.
And regarding the Ukrainian resistance in these territories, Guillaume Ancel added that it’s indeed present but not “massive”. “Obviously, it’s not possible for Ukrainians to demonstrate in the street or express their opposition to the Russian presence publicly. In truth, it’s very difficult to know what the population thinks. There’s a whole section of these inhabitants who have fled.”
(MH with Manon Pierre – Source: La Dépêche – Picture: Picture by tatarstan.ru via WikiCommons under licence Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International)
The governments of Abia and Imo States have announced the launching of a joint security taskforce and surveillance along the Aba-Owerri expressway, starting from Owerrinta in Abia State all the way to Owerri, Imo State.
The launch followed recent attacks by criminals on the expressway, including kidnapping, armed robbery and other criminal activities.
The formation of the joint security taskforce and surveillance was announced by Ferdinand Ekeoma, the Special Adviser to Governor Alex Otti on Media and Publicity.
His statement read in part: “Arising from a strategic emergency security meeting held today, 4th December, 2025, by the Governors of Abia and Imo Sates at the Imo State Government Owerri House, His Excellency Governor Alex Otti and His Excellency Senator Hope Uzodinma resolved to set up a joint security Taskforce that shall consist of Soldiers, Naval Personnel, Police Officers , DSS Personnel, and other Government Security Agencies.
“The joint security Taskforce shall, starting from tomorrow 5th December 2025, patrol the road 24 hours nonstop, while carrying out massive surveillance in the surrounding bushes using sophisticated drones and other modern security equipment.”
According to the statement, Governor Alex Otti commended the Governor of Imo State for arresting the criminals who carried out an attack on His advanced team and other passengers a few days ago.
“The two Governors, while assuring citizens plying the road on a daily basis and those returning home for Christmas of their safety and security, warn that there would be severe consequences for any criminal caught on the road going forward”, Ekeoma concluded.
President Bola Tinubu has transmitted to the senate two lists of 34 career and 31 non career ambassadors nominees for screening and confirmation.
Prominent names listed as non career ambassadors include Reno Omokri, Femi Fani-Kayode, Gen. Abdulrahman Dambazau, Victor Ikpeazu and Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi.
Also listed as non career ambassadors nominees are Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, Vice Admiral Ete Ibas, Senator Jimoh Ibrahim, Senator Nora Daduut, Fatima Ajimobi, and Senator Ita Enang among others.
The two lists brings to 68 number of persons nominated so far as ambassadors awaiting confirmation by the Senate.
Politics
PRESIDENT TINUBU FORWARDS NEW AMBASSADORIAL LIST TO SENATE, NOMINATES DAMBAZAU, IBAS, CHIOMA OHAKIM AND OTHERS
By Prince Uwalaka Chimaroke
4-DEC- 2025
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has submitted a fresh set of ambassadorial nominations to the Senate, featuring a mix of distinguished public figures and seasoned professionals drawn from across the country.
Among the notable nominees are former Chief of Army Staff and ex-Minister of Interior, Abdulrahman Dambazau; former Chief of Naval Staff and immediate past sole administrator of Rivers State, Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas; former senator Ita Enang; and Mrs. Chioma Ohakim, former First Lady of Imo State.
The President formally transmitted two comprehensive lists containing 34 career and 31 non-career ambassadorial nominees, bringing the total number of nominees awaiting Senate confirmation to 68.
The newly submitted lists mark another significant step in the administration’s ongoing diplomatic restructuring, aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s representation and presence across global missions.
The Senate is expected to commence screening and confirmation proceedings in the coming days.
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