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.”
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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