Putin made big mistake sending low-level delegation: NATO
NATO secretary-general Mark Rutte on Friday criticised Russian President Vladimir Putin for not travelling to Turkey to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
“He knows extremely well that the ball is in his court, that he is in trouble,” Rutte said, arriving at a meeting of European leaders in Tirana. “He made a big mistake by sending this low-level delegation.”
Mr Rutte added, “He has to be serious about wanting peace. I think all the pressure is now on Putin. I think it is very good that the Ukrainians have come to the table. They have sent a delegation which is really willing to negotiate a ceasefire.”
Negotiators for the United States and Turkey met the Ukrainian delegation for talks in Istanbul on Friday morning ahead of the planned direct talks between Ukraine and Russia.
Turkish foreign minister Hakan Fidan chaired the meeting, the ministry said.
Direct talks between the Ukrainian and Russian envoys will begin at 12:30 p.m. (0930 GMT).
These would be the first direct talks between Ukraine and Russia since spring 2022, shortly after the start of the large-scale Russian invasion.
(dpa/NAN)
We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.
More from Peoples Gazette
Agriculture
FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology
The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices
Politics
Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku
“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”
Agriculture
Backyard farming cuts household expenses, says Bauchi women
Some women in Bauchi have said that backyard farming has helped them reduce household grocery spending and improve their incomes.
Heading 2
10 people killed in Lagos-Ibadan Expressway crash
The crash, according to the FRSC, occurred at about 8:05 p.m. near Sapade Bridge in the Remo North council area of Ogun.
Politics
My wife being Redeemed Church pastor downplays religious crisis in Nigeria, Tinubu tells pope’s emissary
“My wife is a pastor at an evangelical church. This downplays the religious connotation that the religious controversy in our country might have taken,” said Mr Tinubu.
Opinion
Bola Tinubu’s presidency enters Kafka’s world
Appearance acquires greater authority than fact itself.
Politics
Abia, Anambra seek peaceful principles in boundary conflict resolutions
The governments of Anambra and Abia have vowed to apply principles of peaceful resolution to address the lingering interstate boundary disputes between them.
Abuja
Tinubu seeks stronger partnership with Rotary
Mr Tinubu has called for stronger collaboration between the Nigerian government and Rotary International in healthcare, education, youth empowerment and community development.
