Politics
Ukraine’s Zelenskyy says he is ready to hold direct talks with Putin
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has emphasised his willingness to negotiate directly with Russian President Vladimir Putin, as long as that would be the only format which could “bring peace to the citizens of Ukraine and not lose people.”
When asked during the interview with British journalist Piers Morgan how he felt about potentially sitting opposite Putin at a negotiating table, Zelenskyy said, “If that is the only set-up in which we can bring peace to the citizens of Ukraine and not lose people, definitely we will go for this set-up.”
He later said, without specifying who, that any such talks would be with four participants. In an earlier interview over the weekend, however, he said that he “would like to see the United States of America, Ukraine and the Russians at the negotiating table… And, to be honest, a European Union voice should also be there.”
Any such conversation would need to happen after a meeting between himself and US President Donald Trump, Zelenskyy remarked at the time.
Referring to Vladimir Putin, Zelenskyy said, “I will not be kind to him, I consider him an enemy. To be honest, I think he considers me an enemy, too.”
In Tuesday’s interview, the Ukrainian president admitted that his country is likely to lose at least some of the territory that has been taken by Russia since its invasion began in February 2022.
In a sharp criticism of Ukraine’s backers in the war, Zelenskyy lamented that “regrettably, the support that is provided by our partners is insufficient to push Putin fully out of our territories.”
Nevertheless, he pointed to NATO membership as Ukraine’s best chance to end the war and guarantee the country’s security.
In the interview, Zelenskyy estimated Ukraine’s war dead to be at 45,100 with 390,000 injured. He claimed Russia had suffered 350,000 deaths and 700,000 injuries.
US President Donald Trump, whose future actions will be key to determining the outcome of the war, said during a press conference on Tuesday that the US is “talking to the Russians, we’re talking to the Ukrainian leadership.” He did not provide further details.
Last week, Putin said Russia would be “open” to peace talks, but shifted the blame, saying there was no willingness on its part to solve legal issues. He also described Zelenskyy as “not legitimate” to lead any potential talks, and ruled out speaking with him directly, saying he would “allocate appropriate people” to take part in negotiations.
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, on Friday declared that he’s still a member of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.
Wike’s comment followed his expulsion from the party by the faction led by National Chairman, Kabiru Turaki.
Turaki had formally dispatched expulsion certificates to 11 prominent party chieftains, including Wike, former Ekiti State governor, Ayodele Fayose, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, Umaru Bature, Kamarudeen Ajibade, SAN, Abdurahman Muhammad Senator Mao Ohuabunwa.
He said their expulsion was aimed at sanitising the party ahead of the 2027 elections.
Reacting to the development on Friday, Wike dismissed the claim while assuring that he would continue to work with other party members in making PDP a relevant opposition party.
The minister spoke while addressing journalists after inspecting the Interchange bridge and road linking Gwarinpa with Jahi and direct to Katampe, Gishiri and Maitama.
He said, “Those that are factionalized are bound to leave the party, I’m still in PDP and you can see that not everybody has left.
“We still have good numbers and we will continue to work together and that’s what I have said to the party. Put your house in order because at the end of the day, if you don’t put your house in order, it’s the party that is losing.
“So those who are worried, we can work together to see how the party can remain a relevant opposition.”
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.
PRESIDENT TINUBU’S TRIBUTE TO CENTENARIAN ALHAJI TANKO YAKASAI
I’m still in PDP – Wike replies Turaki, dismisses expulsion
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