Politics
Trump urges Putin not to escalate war during phone call, reports say
Donald Trump held a phone conversation with Russian president Vladimir Putin on Thursday advising him not to escalate the war in Ukraine according to the Washington Post, citing well-placed sources.
The president-elect warned Putin of the America’s “sizeable military presence in Europe” as he urged restraint in the conflict, which is entering its third year.
The outlet added that Trump had expressed interest in a follow up conversation between the pair to resolve Ukraine’s war “soon.”
Trump has previously boasted on the campaign trail that he would end the war in Ukraine in “24 hours” — although has not provided concrete details how he would achieve this.
Putin congratulated Trump on his election victory in comments made last Thursday, going so far to praise Trump’s courage during an assassination attempt on his life at a rally in Pennsylvania in July.
“He manifested himself in the very correct way, bravely as a man,” Putin said.
The Russian leader added he welcomed Trump’s claim he could end the war, but that he was not aware of what Trump’s concrete proposals were.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov emphasised that Moscow still views the US as an “unfriendly” country and that ties between Russia and the US were at their lowest point in history.
Trump is known to be friendly towards Putin. When he was elected in 2016, Moscow had hopes that Trump would scrap sanctions against the country.
Since then, Putin has repeatedly noted Trump’s first term saw the introduction of the heaviest sanctions against Russia at that time.
In a statement given to the Post, Trump’s spokesperson Steven Cheung said of the call between Putin and Trump: “President Trump won a historic election decisively and leaders from around the world know America will return to prominence on the world stage.”
Cheung added that world leaders had begun to try and develop relationships with Trump as he represents “global peace and stability.”
Kyiv disputes claim
The Washington Post claimed that Ukraine’s foreign ministry knew about the call and didn’t object to the conversation taking place, a claim Kyiv’s foreign ministry told Reuters was false.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy already spoke with Trump during a phone call on Wednesday.
Zelenskyy called Trump to congratulate him on his election victory. Although it isn’t known what the pair discussed, SpaceX owner Elon Musk reportedly took part in the call with Zelenskyy thanking him for providing Ukraine with access to the Starlink satellite internet platform.
Trump’s election could signal a shift in US foreign policy towards Ukraine. The president-elect is wary of US involvement in foreign conflicts and has previously suggested the money would be better spent domestically.
Current US President Joe Biden is set to meet Trump at the Oval Office on Wednesday to discuss the transition of power, and brief the new president on the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East.
National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan told CBS, “President Biden will have the opportunity over the next 70 days to make the case to the Congress and to the incoming administration that the United States should not walk away from Ukraine, that walking away from Ukraine means more instability in Europe.”
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
Boris Johnson Says He Feels “Perfectly Safe” in Nigeria, Praises Imo State’s Progress
-
Business1 year ago
US court acquits Air Peace boss, slams Mayfield $4000 fine
-
Trending1 year agoNYA demands release of ‘abducted’ Imo chairman, preaches good governance
-
Politics1 year agoMexico’s new president causes concern just weeks before the US elections
-
Politics1 year agoPutin invites 20 world leaders
-
Politics1 year agoRussia bans imports of agro-products from Kazakhstan after refusal to join BRICS
-
Entertainment1 year ago
Bobrisky falls ill in police custody, rushed to hospital
-
Entertainment1 year ago
Bobrisky transferred from Immigration to FCID, spends night behind bars
-
Education1 year ago
GOVERNOR FUBARA APPOINTS COUNCIL MEMBERS FOR KEN SARO-WIWA POLYTECHNIC BORI