Ending Russia’s all-out war in Ukraine this year is possible, according to former NATO Secretary-General Jen Stoltenberg. However, the head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, Andrii Yermak, cautioned that this would only happen on terms acceptable to the Ukrainian people.

The pair spoke during the World Economic Forum in Davos for a special edition of Euronews’ Europe Conversation.

With Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine almost entering its fourth year, attention is turning to the possibility that the war could come to an end in 2025.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy presented Kyiv’s victory plan last year as the key framework for achieving a just and lasting peace.

Andrii Yermak, head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, told Euronews in Davos that partners and allies must “make the position of Ukraine strong for any potential future negotiations.”

‘Russia is paying a very high price’

“Wars are by nature unpredictable. So I’m very careful to predict exactly what will happen in 2025,” Stoltenberg told Euronews.

“Having said that, it’s absolutely within reach to end this war this year, not least because Russia is paying a very high price,” he added.

While Russian President Vladimir Putin thought he could take Kiyv within days, Ukraine has pushed back. Meanwhile, casualties are staggering, inflation is now officially around 10% in Russia, the national bank’s interest rate is 21%, and there is an urgent lack of workforce, according to Stoltenberg, putting Putin under pressure.

US President Donald Trump’s return to the White House might lead to an American isolationist retreat, forcing Europeans to step up their support for Kyiv.

Meanwhile, Yermak called for “close cooperation and close unity” between Europe and the US and hoped a meeting between Zelenskyy and Trump would take place “as soon as possible”.

“The challenge is that the quickest way of ending a war is to lose the war. But that will not bring peace. That will bring occupation of Ukraine. So the challenge is to end the war in the way that Ukraine prevails as a sovereign, independent nation in Europe,” Stoltenberg added.

Zelenskyy would never compromise “the independence, territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine”, Yermak said.

One way to achieve a lasting peace in Ukraine is to give solid security guarantees, the strongest of all being Article 5, meaning NATO membership, in Stoltenberg’s views. The second best option would be “to arm Ukrainians to the teeth”.

A Lagos State High Court in Ikeja on Thursday adjourned the N1bn defamation suit filed by human rights lawyer Femi Falana (SAN) and his son Folarin, popularly known as Falz, against Martins Otse alias VeryDarkBlackMan, to February 19, 2025.

The court fixed the date to hear a preliminary objection filed by VeryDarkBlackMan, through his lawyer, Marvin Omorogbe, challenging the suit’s competence and the court’s jurisdiction to hear the case.

The Falanas had dragged VeryDarkBlackMan before the court and demanded N500m each as damages over a video he posted on his social media platforms alleging that they collected N10m from Idris Okuneye, a.k.a Bobrisky, to pervert the cause of justice.

The judge had, on the last adjourned date, October 14, 2024, ordered the social media influencer to bring down the defamatory video and comments he allegedly made against the senior lawyer and his son.

Justice Matthias Dawodu had also restrained the self-acclaimed social media police from further releasing, publishing, or circulating any defamatory videos and comments against the senior lawyer and his son on all his online social media handles and pages pending the hearing of a suit filed by the duo.

The judge also ordered that all the processes in the matter be served on VeryDarkBlackMan through his lawyer, Deji Adeyanju.

At the resumed hearing of the matter on Thursday, the defence counsel, Marvin Omorogbe, informed the court that he was served with a copy of the counter-affidavit filed by the plaintiffs against his preliminary objection on Wednesday, and he needed time to respond to it.

The plaintiffs’ lawyer,  Omotade Omotunbosun, did not object to the application for adjournment.

Following the development, Justice Dawodu adjourned the matter to February 19, 2025, for a hearing.

In the application, VeryDarkBlackMan argued through his lawyer that by the provisions of Order 4 Rule 1(4) of the High Court of Lagos State (Civil Procedure) Rules, 2019, the court does not have the territorial jurisdiction to entertain this suit.

Omorogbe also argued that the defendant is domiciled and carries on business in Abuja, outside the jurisdiction of the court and that the alleged defamatory publication was made in Abuja.

He also claimed that the claimants deliberately filed the suit before the court as a way of forum shopping in the hope that they would get a favourable judgment.

In their suits, the father and son averred that the defendant knew all his comments were inaccurate and not verified, yet proceeded to publish the same to injure their reputation recklessly.

They also stated that the alleged defamatory publication was still trending in the defendant’s online handles and pages, adding that the injury to their reputation continues as long as the publication remains online.

The applicant alleged that in the unverified audio recording of a one-sided narrative by the alleged Bobrisky, the said Bobrisky never said that the claimant/applicant herein collected N10m from him, yet the defendant recklessly stated that Femi Falana collected N10m from Bobrisky.

The Falanas are seeking the following reliefs: “a declaration that the publication of the defendant made on September 24, 2024, on his Instagram handle, @verydarkblackman, wherein he specifically targeted the Claimant, is libellous, slanderous, derogatory, scandalous and defamatory.

“The sum of N500,000,000.00 (Five Hundred Million Naira Only) for defamation of character contained in the defendant’s video publication of September 24, 2024, on his Instagram handle @verydarkblackman.

“An order of perpetual injunction restraining the defendant, his agents or servants or otherwise from further publishing or causing to be published the said or similar words of defamatory to the claimant.

“An order directing the defendant to publish an apology to the claimant on all his social media handles/pages for the defamatory words contained in the video complained of and in one National Daily Newspaper.”

STATE HOUSE PRESS RELEASE

PRESIDENT BOLA TINUBU SAYS WELFARE OF OFFICERS AND MEN OF THE ARMED FORCES REMAINS PARAMOUNT

President Bola Tinubu says enhancing the welfare of officers and men of the Nigerian armed forces remains paramount to his administration.

President Bola Tinubu spoke at the groundbreaking ceremony of a new defence complex and at the inauguration of an army barracks named after him in Abuja on Thursday.

The President expressed his gratitude to members of the armed forces, lauding their efforts under the leadership of the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa.

“This ceremony marks the start of a construction project and the foundation of a renewed commitment to our military and the values we hold dear as a democracy. On this occasion, we open a new chapter in our nation’s commitment to ensuring the safety and security of our people. As your Commander-in-Chief, I pledge to support our troops and their families.

“Under our Renewed Hope Administration, I reaffirm my commitment to building a well-equipped and truly professional military that embodies our nation’s pride. “I want to use this moment to personally commend the remarkable efforts of our armed forces under the leadership of the CDS, General CG Musa, who stands guard with the Service Chiefs and men against the evil forces that seek to retard our cherished peace and development.

“Your dedication, courage, and resilience protect our freedoms and uphold the very principles upon which our nation was founded,” the President said.

On the significance of the Defence Complex, President Bola Tinubu stated: “As we break the ground on this Armed Forces Complex, let it symbolise our nation’s respect and admiration for your unwavering service and our dedication to providing the resources you need to function better.

“This edifice, when completed, will not only stand as a centre of loyalty but a national monument that every Nigerian would be proud of. It will be a hub of excellence, re-energising able leaders who are committed to the safety of our citizens.”

President Bola Tinubu also emphasised the importance of locally producing military equipment to enhance domestic defence capabilities.

“I am particularly proud to share that our efforts in developing a military-industrial complex have begun to yield positive results.

These initiatives, driven by significant research and development by the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria, the Command Engineering Depot of the Nigerian Army, and private entities, such as EPAIL and ProForce, have enhanced our domestic defence capabilities.

“Thus, with great pride and pleasure, I announce the assembly of these displayed Tactical Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) Vehicles and Armoured Personnel Carriers (APC) produced in Nigeria.

They testify to the advancement made in our defence sector. These vehicles will not only boost our armed forces’ operational efficiency but will also enhance our economy,” he said.

President Bola Tinubu called on Nigerians to come together and work towards a brighter future for the nation, stating that the groundbreaking event, coming on the heels of the Armed Forces Remembrance Day, is an enduring honour, especially to those who have laid down their lives or have been wounded for the peace and security of Nigeria.

He promised that the first phase of the complex would be completed within the lifetime of his administration.

Speaking earlier, the Chief of Defence Staff said a new state-of-the-art facility for the armed forces had become imperative because the Garki headquarters, which was initially designed to be a temporary office had become inadequate for its operations.

He also said the new facility would serve as a beacon of excellence and a symbol of dedication and modernisation of the Nigerian armed forces.

In his remarks, the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede thanked the President for his continued support for the army and the armed forces, assuring the President of their loyalty and commitment to the nation.

In attendance at the events were the Deputy Senate President representing the Senate President, Senator Jibrin Barau; Speaker of the House of Representatives, Honourable Tajuddeen Abbas; Senator Ahmad Lawan; Minister of Defence, Alhaji Abubakar Badaru; Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris Malagi; National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu; Honourable Femi Gbajabiamila, Chief of Staff to the President; Service Chiefs, and top members of the military hierarchy.

Bayo Onanuga
Special Adviser to the President
(Information and Strategy)
January 23, 2025