Politics
Ukraine should be allowed to join Nato, Boris Johnson urges
Ukraine should be allowed to join Nato ‘now’, Boris Johnson has urged.
The former prime minister has said the move would be the ‘single biggest step’ the West could take to end Russia‘s war.
He admitted the United States and its allies would be alarmed about Ukraine joining the military alliance while fighting was ongoing.
It would mean all 32 Nato member states would have to commit to Ukraine’s defence.
But writing in today’s Spectator, he argues: ‘The risk is that we continue with the ambiguity and indecision over the future of Ukraine that has led to the worst war in Europe in my lifetime.
Ukraine should be allowed to join Nato ‘now’, Boris Johnson (left) has urged. Mr Johnson is pictured shaking hands with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy (right) in Kyiv, Ukraine, on Friday, September 13, 2024
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer (right) said after a summit in Washington in July that Nato had ‘confirmed Ukraine’s irreversible path to full membership’. Yet earlier this year, US President Joe Biden (left) said he was ‘not prepared to support the Nato-isation of Ukraine’. Sir Keir and President Biden are pictured together at the summit in DC on July 10, 2024
‘If we want peace, then we must put the Ukrainians in the strongest possible position, and this is how to do it.’
Ukraine has long sought membership of Nato and gained ‘aspiring member’ status in 2018, four years after Russia’s annexation of Crimea, but not all western leaders have been enthusiastic.
Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky stepped up the demand in the wake of Vladimir Putin’s invasion in early 2022. However, at a summit last year Nato leaders said Ukraine could join only once it had completed ‘democratic and security sector reforms‘.
At the time, Mr Johnson said there should have been a timetable for membership ‘as soon as victory is won’. Now the former foreign secretary goes further, arguing: ‘We could invite Ukraine to join before the war is even over.’
‘We need to get Ukraine into Nato now, and I mean now,’ he writes. He suggests the critical Article 5 security guarantee – which means an attack on one Nato member is seen as an attack on all – could be extended to cover territory currently controlled by Kyiv, while allies should also reaffirm the country’s right to its borders.
‘We could protect most of Ukraine, while simultaneously supporting the Ukrainian right to recapture the rest,’ Mr Johnson writes, adding: ‘This is the single biggest step we can take to bring this hideous war to an end.
‘We would send the crucial message to the Kremlin, the one Russians really need to hear. The message is: that’s it. It’s over. You don’t have an empire any more.’
A Ukrainian tank of the 110th brigade moves through a field as it returns from a position at the frontline on Pokrovsk direction, Donetsk region, Ukraine on Wednesday, September 18, 2024
A heavily damaged and partially destroyed house following a Russian attack on the village of Komyshuvakha in Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhya region on September 17, 2024
He admits the decision depends above all on the US. Sir Keir Starmer said after a summit in Washington in July that Nato had ‘confirmed Ukraine’s irreversible path to full membership’.
Yet earlier this year, US President Joe Biden said he was ‘not prepared to support the Nato-isation of Ukraine’.
Mr Johnson adds: ‘We would all have to commit to the defence of that Ukrainian territory. And of course that will mean anxiety and resistance.’
He also renewed his call for Mr Biden and the Prime Minister to allow Ukraine to fire western Storm Shadow missiles into Russian territory, after talks last week between the pair failed to lead to a breakthrough.
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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