Latest news with #WP
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Intelligence shows Russia planning new offensive operations in Ukraine, Zelensky says
Russia is "preparing new offensive operations" in its full-scale war against Ukraine, President Volodymyr Zelensky said on May 26, following an intelligence briefing. Kyiv has previously warned about the threat of a new major Russian offensive targeting Ukraine's northeastern Kharkiv and Sumy oblasts this spring and summer. While Russia has made only minimal territorial gains at the cost of heavy losses over the last several months, Moscow has doubled down on its maximalist objectives in recent peace talks. Ukrainian intelligence reports confirm that Russia is not seriously interested in a peace settlement, Zelensky said in his evening address on May 26. "We can see from the information that our intelligence is gathering and from open data that (Russian President Vladimir) Putin and his entourage have no plans to end the war — there is no evidence that they are seriously considering peace and that they are seriously considering diplomacy," he said. "On the contrary, there is a lot of evidence that they are preparing new offensive operations." The intelligence agencies of Ukraine's allies have likely seen the same evidence, Zelensky said. He urged partner nations to apply "appropriate joint pressure" on Moscow in response. Read also: Ukraine's front-line pressure and risks of Russia's summer offensive Zelensky's latest remarks come after three nights of relentless Russian aerial attacks against Ukrainian cities — launched while the Kremlin drags its feet in delivering the terms of its proposed "memorandum" on a possible future peace settlement. The memorandum was Putin's counteroffer after he again rejected a ceasefire in a two-hour phone call with U.S. President Donald Trump on May 19. Russia has still not delivered the document presenting its settlement terms. Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said Russia would only submit the draft "settlement document" after Ukraine and Russia concluded their 1,000-for-1,000 prisoner exchange. The swap was completed on May 25. Zelensky called attention to Russia's delay in submitting the memorandum. "They have spent more than a week on this," he said. "They talk a lot about diplomacy. But when in the midst of this, there are constant Russian strikes, constant killings, constant assaults, and preparations for new offensives, this is definitely a diagnosis. Russia deserves full-scale pressure — everything that can be done to limit their military capabilities." According to Zelensky, Russia launched over 900 strike drones over the last three days, in addition to cruise and ballistic missiles. Ukraine is looking to increase its production of interceptor drones and direct additional funding to developing its ballistic missile program, he said. Officials and experts told the Washington Post (WP) on May 24 that Russia likely lacks the military capability to mount an offensive that could successfully break Ukraine's lines. The decline in Russia's military advantage could make coordinated Western pressure on the Kremlin more effective, officials said. Zelensky urged the U.S. and Europe to enact "new and strong sanctions" against Moscow to force Putin to accept a ceasefire and show "respect" for the diplomatic process. While Trump criticized Putin after the latest round of large-scale attacks, the U.S. president has a history of failing to follow through on threats of sanctions against Russia. Read also: Why did Russia invade Ukraine? Debunking Putin's 'root causes' claims We've been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Yahoo
25-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Ukraine war latest: Ukraine concludes 1,000-for-1,000 prisoner swap with Russia; Russian missile, drone attack kills 12, injures over 60
Key developments on May 24-25: Ukraine brings home 303 POWs in final phase of biggest prisoner swap with Russia Russian missile, drone attack kills 12, injures over 60 US silence 'encourages Putin', Zelensky says after massive Russian attack Russia losing battlefield edge in war against Ukraine, WP reports Russia will reveal peace terms to Ukraine after prisoner exchange, Lavrov says Ukraine brought home 303 prisoners of war on May 25 in the final phase of a 1,000-for-1,000 prisoner exchange with Russia, President Volodymyr Zelensky announced. The prisoner exchange took place in three phases carried out over three days and was agreed on during peace talks held in Turkey on May 16, the first direct negotiations between Ukraine and Russia in three years. "I thank the team that worked around the clock to successfully carry out this exchange. We will definitely bring back every single one of our people from Russian captivity," Zelensky wrote in a post on X. The returning prisoners included members of Ukraine's Armed Forces, National Guard, State Border Guard Service, and State Special Transport Service, Zelensky stated. Ukraine's Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of POWs said that the released prisoners included 70 men who had defended Mariupol during the Russian siege of the port city in 2022. The coordination headquarters added that 5,757 Ukrainian prisoners had been returned through negotiations and exchanges since March 2022, while another 536 Ukrainians had returned through other means. Read also: Largest-ever Ukrainian-Russian prisoner swap comes under fire for lacking Azov fighters, civilians The prisoner exchange was the only concrete agreement to arise out of the direct talks held last week. Ukraine and the United States have been pushing for Russia to agree to an unconditional ceasefire, but Russia "categorically" rejected the appeal in Turkey, according to First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Serhiy Kyslytsia, who attended the talks as a member of the Ukrainian delegation. Kyiv does not publish the figures for how many Russian POWs are currently in Ukrainian custody. Ukraine has long advocated for an "all-for-all" exchange, but Russia has so far rejected the proposal. Russia attacked Kyiv and other Ukrainian regions with drones and missiles overnight on May 25, killing 12 people, including three children, and injuring more than 60, Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko said on Telegram. Russia launched 69 missiles overnight and 298 drones, according to Ukraine's Air Force. The Air Force reported that 45 cruise missiles were shot down by air defense and 266 drones were neutralized, while 22 locations recorded a direct strike. The attacks come one night after one of the heaviest Russian assaults on Kyiv throughout the full-scale war. The attack also coincides with Kyiv Day, a city holiday typically celebrated on the last Sunday in May. Ukraine's Air Force warned late on May 24 that Russia had launched waves of drones towards multiple regions and also issued a ballistic missile warning shortly before midnight. Later in the night, an aerial alert went into effect for all Ukrainian regions, including the country's far-western oblasts. According to Klymenko, Russians attacked the city of Kyiv, Kyiv, Zhytomyr, Khmelnytsky, Ternopil, Dnipropetrovsk, Mykolaiv, Odesa, Kharkiv, Chernihiv, Cherkasy, Sumy, Poltava regions. More than 80 residential buildings have been damaged, he said. Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha condemned the attack and called on the international community to further pressure Russia for a ceasefire. "When the entire world calls for an end to the killing, (Russian President Vladimir) Putin orders even more strikes, attacks, and murders of children. This once again emphasizes the imperative of a full, unconditional, and durable ceasefire for any meaningful peace effort," Sybiha wrote on X. "The world must pressure Russia to accept it and put an end to the killings immediately." Three children ages 8, 12 and 17 years old were killed in Zhytomyr Oblast, according to the State Emergency Service, while another 12 in the oblast were injured. Klymenko later added that all three children were from the same family, and both parents were hospitalized. The mother is in serious condition, he said. During the attack, Tymur Tkachenko, head of the Kyiv City Military Administration, advised residents to take shelter. "The night will not be easy. There is a threat of the enemy using a large number of drones and missiles from strategic aircraft," Tkachenko warned as air defenses actively repelled drones over Kyiv. Debris from a falling drone struck a student dormitory in Kyiv's Holosiivskyi district, causing a fire, Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko said. Four people were injured and received medical treatment on the spot. Another person injured in the Desnianskyi district received medical attention at the scene, Klitschko said, while a second victim in the area was hospitalized. A house in the city's Dniprovskyi district was also damaged. The Kyiv City Military Administration reported that a young woman in the district was injured with a broken leg. A business center was damaged in the Shevchenkivskyi district, according to the administration. The 11 injured victims range in age from 18 to 62, the administration said. Join our community Support independent journalism in Ukraine. Join us in this fight. Support Us Outside the capital, four people in Kyiv Oblast were killed in the attacks and 15 more suffered injuries, the State Emergency Service reported. In Kharkiv, Mayor Ihor Terekhov also reported that drones struck the city's Osnovianskyi, Novobavarskyi, and Shevchenkivskyi districts. A civilian enterprise in the Osnovianskyi district was damaged while an office building was hit in the Shevchenkivskyi district. Glass shattered in several apartment buildings amid the attacks, Terekhov said. A child was injured by glass fragments and is receiving medical treatment. Artem Semenikhin, the mayor of Konotop in Sumy Oblast, said Russia's overnight barrage was "probably the most massive and combined attack on our city since the Second World War." Drones and missiles also hit multiple areas in the city of Chernihiv and the surrounding region, the State Emergency Service reported. Fires broke out at storage facilities and non-residential buildings, including one blaze that covered over 1,000 square meters. Information about casualties and damage is still being investigated. In the southern city of Mykolaiv, one man was killed and five people injured when a drone hit a five-story residential building, Ukraine's State Emergency Service reported. A teenager was among the injured victims. In Ternopil, a western city less frequently targeted by Russian attacks, a Kalibr cruise missile struck an industrial facility and caused a fire, according to Governor Viacheslav Nehoda. Casualties and damage were also reported in Khmelnytskyi Oblast. Governor Serhii Tiurin said the attacks killed four people in the region and injured five others, in addition to destroying civilian infrastructure. Poland scrambled fighter jets and activated air defenses, as it has previously done to secure its airspace during large-scale Russian attacks on Ukraine. The previous night, Russia launched a large-scale drone and missile attack against Kyiv, injuring at least 15 people. The strikes caused explosions throughout the city and damaged residential buildings. Russia continues to target residential neighborhoods in increasingly deadly aerial assaults while the Kremlin remains openly dismissive of international calls for a ceasefire. Read also: Russians 'mock' US and peace process with latest attacks on Ukraine, EU ambassador says Following a deadly overnight attack on May 25, Zelensky called for stronger sanctions on Russia and added that "America's silence, and the silence of others around the world, only encourages Putin." "Without really strong pressure on the Russian leadership, this brutality cannot be stopped. Sanctions will definitely help," Zelensky wrote in a post on Telegram on May 25. "The world knows all the weaknesses of the Russian economy. It is possible to stop the war, but only through the necessary force of pressure on Russia. Putin must be forced to think not about launching missiles, but about ending the war." Trump has not publicly commented on the overnight attacks on May 24 and 25. Russian and Ukrainian officials met in Istanbul on May 16 in the first direct talks between the two countries in three years, but left without reaching an agreement on a ceasefire. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov confirmed that Moscow had no interest in agreeing to a ceasefire in Ukraine, saying on May 21 that Russia "doesn't want this anymore." Read also: Russia 'categorically' rejected unconditional ceasefire in peace talks, Ukrainian official says Russia's military advantage against Ukraine is declining, the Washington Post (WP) reported on May 24, citing U.S., European, and Ukrainian officials and military experts. While Russia's military difficulties could be an opportunity for Ukraine's allies to mount pressure against Moscow in hopes of securing a ceasefire, U.S. President Donald Trump has backed away from international sanctions efforts and appears increasingly unwilling to challenge Putin. Moscow faces critical shortages of weapons and manpower, making the time ripe for escalated pressure, multiple officials told the WP, many speaking on the condition of anonymity. "Russia is very gradually taking bits of territory still, but at an unsustainably high cost," said Richard Barrons, the former head of the United Kingdom's Joint Forces Command. A Ukrainian security official told the WP that Russia was not able to gain ground despite its significant personnel advantages and that the slowed advance may be partly a result of Ukraine's incursion in Kursk Oblast, which aimed to divert Russia's military resources from the front lines. "Russia is not able to take any ground, and this is the situation pretty much since the end of the Ukrainian counteroffensive," the official said, referring to Ukraine's attempt to retake Russian-occupied territories in 2023. "Despite the fact that they still have three-to-one superiority in number of troops — and maybe even bigger in terms of (weapons) systems — it's still not enough." Western experts also calculate that Russia's arsenal of tanks is likely to run out in the next few months, the WP reported. "The Russians can continue fighting, but … the force will become more and more de-mechanized over time, and that does put a timeline on how long they can sustain the current way they operate," Jack Watling, a senior research fellow for land warfare at the Royal United Services Institute in London, told the WP. Barrons also said Russia was running out of opportunities to conduct major offensives in Ukraine. "It is very unlikely now that the Russian military have the equipment, the people, and the training and logistics to mount an offensive that would break the Ukrainian line and — even if they did — to exploit it immediately," he said. In light of these obstacles, coordinated pressure against Russia could be more effective now than any point since the eary days of the full-scale war, officials said. According to a May report from the U.S. Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA), Putin still remains confident in Russia's ability to secure "ultimate victory" in Ukraine, including the full occupation of four Ukrainian regions. This confidence is reflected in Russia's strategy of dragging out peace talks while escalating deadly attacks against Ukraine. Trump even admitted, just days after holding a two-hour phone conversation with the Russian leader, that Putin is not interested in peace because he believes he is winning the war. "Putin believes that time is on his side, and Ukraine is bleeding faster than Russia," a senior European official told the WP. But some officials suggested that Putin may be basing his confidence on reports from subordinates that understate Russia's increasing difficulties. "I think they overestimate the current success of Russia," one senior European official said. Zelensky called Putin's continued delays in the peace process "a mockery of the whole world" in remarks on May 23. "And it's definitely time to put more pressure on Russia," he said. Read also: Russia pushes forward in Donetsk Oblast, threatening Ukrainian pocket around Toretsk Lavrov announced on May 23 that Moscow will convey its peace terms to Kyiv immediately after the completion of the prisoner exchange between the two countries, which is currently ongoing. Speaking to Russian state media, Lavrov disclosed that Moscow is "actively working" on a list of ceasefire conditions for the war in Ukraine. The list will be ready "as soon as the exchange of prisoners of war is completed," Lavrov said. Following tumultuous negotiations in Istanbul on May 16 – the first between the two countries since 2022 – Ukraine and Russia agreed on a 1,000-for-1,000 prisoner exchange. The exchange process started on May 23 and will continue through May 25. In the initial phase of the process, the two parties swapped 390 prisoners each, and an additional 307 prisoners each on May 24. During the Istanbul talks, Ukraine and Russia also agreed to exchange documents detailing their respective ceasefire conditions. Separately, Russia is preparing a "memorandum regarding a potential future peace treaty," which Russian President Vladimir Putin first mentioned during a recent call with United States President Donald Trump. Kremlin officials have clarified that the memorandum is separate from the list of ceasefire conditions currently under preparation. While Moscow's list of conditions have yet to be revealed, Russia has repeatedly reiterated maximalist demands, including that Ukraine accept the loss of Crimea and four eastern regions. Earlier this week, on May 22, Lavrov also said that Moscow is uninterested in a ceasefire in Ukraine, insisting that the "root causes" of the war need to be resolved first. A recent U.S. intelligence report also revealed that Russia is committed to waging war in Ukraine through the end of 2025, and its objectives in the war – Ukrainian neutrality and a partition of the Ukrainian state – have not changed. These recent developments suggest that Russia is unwilling to negotiate in good faith, despite offering to share a list of ceasefire conditions after the prisoner exchange. Read also: Lavrov dismisses Vatican as possible venue for Russia-Ukraine peace talksWe've been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Yahoo
25-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Russia losing battlefield edge in war against Ukraine, WP reports
Russia's military advantage against Ukraine is declining, the Washington Post (WP) reported on May 24, citing U.S., European, and Ukrainian officials and military experts. While Russia's military difficulties could be an opportunity for Ukraine's allies to mount pressure against Moscow in hopes of securing a ceasefire, U.S. President Donald Trump has backed away from international sanctions efforts and appears increasingly unwilling to challenge Russian President Vladimir Putin. Moscow faces critical shortages of weapons and manpower, making the time ripe for escalated pressure, multiple officials told the WP, many speaking on the condition of anonymity. "Russia is very gradually taking bits of territory still, but at an unsustainably high cost," said Richard Barrons, the former head of the United Kingdom's Joint Forces Command. A Ukrainian security official told the WP that Russia was not able to gain ground despite its significant personnel advantages and that the slowed advance may be partly a result of Ukraine's incursion in Kursk Oblast, which aimed to divert Russia's military resources from the front lines. "Russia is not able to take any ground, and this is the situation pretty much since the end of the Ukrainian counteroffensive," the official said, referring to Ukraine's attempt to retake Russian-occupied territories in 2023. "Despite the fact that they still have three-to-one superiority in number of troops — and maybe even bigger in terms of (weapons) systems — it's still not enough." Western experts also calculate that Russia's arsenal of tanks is likely to run out in the next few months, the WP reported. "The Russians can continue fighting, but … the force will become more and more de-mechanized over time, and that does put a timeline on how long they can sustain the current way they operate," Jack Watling, a senior research fellow for land warfare at the Royal United Services Institute in London, told the WP. Read also: Russian tank losses in Ukraine — Syrskyi claims 1,159 'hit' since start of year Barrons also said Russia was running out of opportunities to conduct major offensives in Ukraine. "It is very unlikely now that the Russian military have the equipment, the people, and the training and logistics to mount an offensive that would break the Ukrainian line and — even if they did — to exploit it immediately," he said. In light of these obstacles, coordinated pressure against Russia could be more effective now than any point since the eary days of the full-scale war, officials said. According to a May report from the U.S. Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA), Putin still remains confident in Russia's ability to secure "ultimate victory" in Ukraine, including the full occupation of four Ukrainian regions. This confidence is reflected in Russia's strategy of dragging out peace talks while escalating deadly attacks against Ukraine. Trump even admitted, just days after holding a two-hour phone conversation with the Russian leader, that Putin is not interested in peace because he believes he is winning the war. "Putin believes that time is on his side, and Ukraine is bleeding faster than Russia," a senior European official told the WP. But some officials suggested that Putin may be basing his confidence on reports from subordinates that understate Russia's increasing difficulties. "I think they overestimate the current success of Russia," one senior European official said. President Volodymyr Zelensky called Putin's continued delays in the peace process "a mockery of the whole world" in remarks on May 23. "And it's definitely time to put more pressure on Russia," he said. Read also: Russia pushes forward in Donetsk Oblast, threatening Ukrainian pocket around Toretsk We've been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Online Citizen
23-05-2025
- Politics
- Online Citizen
Yeoh Lian Chuan questions if PM Wong will repudiate foreign blogger's racial remarks
Singapore law practitioner Yeoh Lian Chuan has publicly urged Prime Minister Lawrence Wong to take a definitive stand against controversial remarks made by Polish blogger Michael Petraeus, also known as 'Critical Spectator'. In a Facebook post published on 22 May 2025, Yeoh questioned whether Wong and his People's Action Party (PAP) Government would repudiate Petraeus's statements, which have been widely criticised as racially and religiously insensitive. Petraeus, a foreign commentator with a significant online following in Singapore, published a post commenting on the Workers' Party's (WP) recent Non-Constituency Member of Parliament (NCMP) appointments. He alleged that WP had 'abandoned' Muslim voters in favour of appealing to Mandarin-speaking constituents. The blogger pointed specifically to the appointment of Eileen Chong, a new party member who joined WP in December 2024, as an NCMP following the 2025 General Election. Petraeus claimed that this strategic shift was influenced by Terry Xu of The Online Citizen (TOC), who had previously advocated for greater outreach to older Chinese-speaking voters and new citizens from China. In his op-ed, Xu argued that the WP would benefit more from appointing Chong as an NCMP, given the current lack of a strong Mandarin speaker among the party's parliamentary representatives and the opportunity to further its efforts toward gender diversity. Adding to the controversy, Petraeus's post attracted a 'like' from Ho Ching, spouse of former Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, further amplifying its reach and raising eyebrows. Yeoh challenges Government's silence on foreign interference Yeoh, in his own Facebook post, directly challenged the Government's position. 'Will the PAP Government stand for this?' he asked, referring to the apparent use of race and religion in Petraeus's analysis. Yeoh expressed dissatisfaction with Wong's earlier remarks on the matter, made during a press conference on 26 April. Wong had emphasised the importance of rejecting identity politics and keeping race and religion out of Singapore's political discourse. He added that while foreigners are allowed to write about elections, taking sides on local issues—particularly those involving race and religion—crosses a line. 'Our rules are clear. The principle is that the outcome of elections are for Singaporeans only to decide… We have laws to uphold this principle,' Wong stated. 'When foreigners take a position on an issue or a candidate—especially when it is about race and religion—that crosses the line,' he added. Despite these statements, Yeoh argued that Wong's response lacked clarity and conviction. He also revealed that his comment on Wong's Facebook page, asking for a clearer stance, was hidden. Furthering his case, Yeoh said he had written to his Group Representation Constituency (GRC) Member of Parliament, Minister of State Alvin Tan, urging the Government to adopt a 'principled and consistent stance.' 'I have written to an MP in my GRC, MOS Alvin Tan, as a resident of the GRC, to invite the PAP Government to take a principled and consistent stance and to make clear that political comments clearly aimed at Singaporeans by CS, and favouring or disfavouring one political party, are not welcome,' Yeoh wrote. Online backlash over racially charged claims Petraeus's comments have also sparked criticism online. On Critical Spectator's Facebook post, several netizens criticised the article for sowing division along racial lines and undermining social cohesion. One Facebook user tagged the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Ministry of Law, and the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth, calling attention to Petraeus's remarks and signalling a call for governmental oversight. While some defended the WP's decision, arguing that political representation should not be reduced to ethnic tokens, others accused Petraeus of using the 'race card' irresponsibly. Netizens also pointed to the broader issue of identity politics, noting that the GRC system itself necessitates considerations of race in electoral strategy. One user wrote: 'WP can represent Muslims as a party, not just Faisal. It's a move for the future.' Others defended WP's choice, arguing that Chong's bilingualism and Mandarin fluency filled a strategic gap. Petraeus, for his part, doubled down on his position, stating that the WP had effectively removed a seasoned Malay leader from Parliament in favour of less experienced candidates. He described the newly appointed Malay MPs as 'token' representatives, lacking significant party standing or track records. Petraeus argued that instead of elevating a prominent Muslim leader, WP had chosen 'a girl who joined the party six months ago and her main asset is Mandarin fluency.' Singaporean commentator denounces Petraeus as 'imported propaganda' Notably, an earlier Facebook post by Singaporean commentator Adrian Ang, which was widely shared online, sharply criticised Petraeus. Ang described him as 'imported propaganda,' accusing him of posing as a neutral observer while consistently defending the ruling PAP and mocking Singaporeans. Ang alleged that Petraeus invalidates the lived struggles of local citizens—particularly regarding the cost of living—through the use of insensitive and racially charged rhetoric. He further claimed that despite having no genuine stake in Singapore, Petraeus is amplified by influential figures such as Ho Ching and shielded from the scrutiny typically faced by local activists. Ang also questioned why Petraeus is regarded as 'foreign talent,' arguing that he offers no meaningful contribution to the lives of ordinary Singaporeans. Ang denounced him as a mouthpiece for the powerful, unworthy of the platform he continues to occupy. No action taken after reports of alleged foreign interference by Petraeus during GE2020 In July 2020, TOC editor Terry Xu filed a police report against Critical Spectator over posts allegedly constituting foreign interference during the 2020 General Election. Xu argued that Petraeus, as a foreigner, should not be permitted to influence Singapore's political discourse—particularly by publishing content that praised the ruling PAP while attacking opposition parties. He cited Section 83(1)(d) of the Parliamentary Elections Act, which states: 'No person who is not a citizen of Singapore shall take part in any election activity.' Xu also referenced an Elections Department (ELD) advisory issued on 20 April 2020, which instructed political parties to 'lodge a police report immediately' and inform the ELD if they detected any signs of foreign interference in the election. Separately, a Singaporean named Ng raised similar concerns to the ELD, questioning whether Petraeus' activities breached election rules. While the ELD acknowledged that foreigners are prohibited from engaging in election activities and stated that it would look into the matter, no public action was subsequently taken in response to the complaints against Petraeus. His Facebook page was briefly taken down in July 2020 but was later reinstated following the conclusion of the General Election.
Online Citizen
23-05-2025
- Politics
- Online Citizen
Yee Jenn Jong slams Critical Spectator's ‘ignorant' post, defends WP's NCMP choices as inclusive
On 23 May 2025, former Non-Constituency Member of Parliament (NCMP) Yee Jenn Jong from the Workers' Party issued a pointed rebuttal to an article by Polish blogger Michael Petraeus, widely known as 'Critical Spectator'. The article, published on 19 May, accused the Workers' Party (WP) of 'abandoning Muslim voters' in its selection of NCMPs following the 2025 General Election. Petraeus alleged that WP sidelined its vice-chairman and three-time Member of Parliament, Faisal Manap, who had contested in Tampines GRC. He framed this decision as evidence of identity politics within the party. He further claimed that WP was refocusing its efforts on Mandarin-speaking constituencies, citing the appointment of Eileen Chong—who joined the party in December 2024—as a shift in strategy. Petraeus claimed that this was influenced by Terry Xu of The Online Citizen (TOC), who had previously advocated for greater outreach to older Chinese-speaking voters and new citizens from China. In his op-ed, Xu argued that the WP would benefit more from appointing Chong as an NCMP, given the current lack of a strong Mandarin speaker among the party's parliamentary representatives and the opportunity to further its efforts toward gender diversity. Adding to the controversy, Petraeus's post attracted a 'like' from Ho Ching, spouse of former Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, further amplifying its reach and raising eyebrows. On the same day, WP confirmed the appointment of Andre Low and Eileen Chong as NCMPs. The party reaffirmed its commitment to represent all Singaporeans, hold the Government accountable, and engage in reasoned parliamentary debate. 'Many senior WP members have historically declined NCMP appointments' Yee, who led the WP team in East Coast GRC during GE2025, responded to Petraeus's commentary via Facebook, calling the article 'trash'. He said he 'could not believe what [he] was reading', and described Petraeus's writing as ignorant and lacking proper analysis. Yee expressed frustration with so-called political observers who presume insight into the opposition landscape without insider knowledge. He clarified that it was likely Faisal Manap had declined the NCMP post, as other senior WP members had done in the past. Yee cited historical precedent, noting that Gerald Giam, Lee Li Lian, and Low Thia Khiang had either declined NCMP roles or expressed views on how they would have passed them on. Yee noted that when Lee rejected the NCMP appointment, it was offered to Daniel Goh, following a rather 'unpleasant parliamentary debate in which the PAP attempted to gain political mileage from the situation'. He added that even Tan Cheng Bock, after GE2020, declined the post, and it was passed to another team member. Yee argued there was no need for a senior WP figure to take the NCMP role when strong candidates are available, especially in a Group Representation Constituency (GRC). 'Nothing about race or religion' – Yee affirms inclusivity Yee firmly rejected Petraeus's racial insinuations, saying: 'Nothing about race or religion as alleged in this ignorant post, not even by a Singaporean.' He expressed confidence in Chong's ability to represent all Singaporeans, and emphasised Faisal's legacy as a well-loved MP serving residents of all races in Kaki Bukit. Yee pointed out widespread misconceptions about how NCMP appointments are handled. He explained that if a team declines an NCMP post, the seat does not automatically go to the next highest-losing team. Instead, a parliamentary motion must be raised and passed to appoint another candidate. He cautioned that public calls for Tampines GRC to reject the position would not necessarily result in a reassignment, and could instead lead to the seat being left vacant—as occurred in 1984. Yee criticised external attempts to dictate WP's internal decisions, asserting the party's autonomy. He also reiterated his broader stance against the NCMP scheme, which he and political researcher Loke Hoe Yeong argue should be abolished in favour of deeper democratic reforms. Petraeus responds with more criticism Following Yee's statement, Petraeus escalated the exchange by accusing him of breaking his word about retiring from politics after 2020. He interpreted Yee's return as evidence of a 'very limited pool' within WP. Petraeus further claimed WP publicly criticises the NCMP scheme while privately benefiting from it, referencing the party's historical use of NCMP seats since 1984. He also accused WP leader Pritam Singh of 'hypocrisy', citing Singh's allegations of gerrymandering while supposedly benefiting from constituency changes. Lawyer Yeoh Lian Chuan questions if PM Wong will repudiate foreign blogger's racial remarks On 22 May, a day before Yee's statement, Singaporean lawyer Yeoh Lian Chuan called on Prime Minister Lawrence Wong to address Petraeus's comments. Yeoh asked whether Wong and the People's Action Party (PAP) would repudiate the statements, which many criticised as racially and religiously insensitive. His call added to the growing pressure on the Government to confront divisive political rhetoric circulating online. Edit: A clarification has been made regarding Yee's quote about the transfer of the NCMP seat to Daniel Goh, after Lee Li Lian declined her NCMP seat following the conclusion of GE2015.
