News

What we know about Thursday’s ‘Coalition of the Willing’ summit for Ukraine in Paris

Published

3 months ago

March 26, 2025

FILE - Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer, front center, hosted the European leaders' summit to discuss Ukraine, at Lancaster House, London, 2 March 2025 © Justin Tallis/AP

World leaders will gather in Paris on Thursday for a high-stakes summit on Ukraine and to lay the groundwork for long-term security guarantees.

According to the Élysée Palace, 31 countries, including NATO allies, EU member states, and non-EU countries such as the United Kingdom, Canada and Norway are expected to attend.

On Wednesday evening, Macron will host Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Paris for a working dinner ahead of the summit.

“France will make the pursuit and reinforcement of military and financial support for Ukraine its top priority,” said the Élysée Palace in a statement sent to the press.

What is the ‘Coalition of the Willing?’

The summit’s primary goal is to finalise what security guarantees European nations are willing to offer — including whether they will consider deploying peacekeeping troops on the ground in Ukraine, still embroiled in Russia’s full-scale invasion, now in its fourth year.

France, the UK and Ukraine are also reportedly working on presenting a peace treaty to the US, which will likely be discussed on Thursday.

The countries that agree to this deal would form a “coalition of the willing”.

Thursday’s summit comes at a pivotal moment as the United States announced it had brokered a ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine in the Black Sea.

French officials, however, remain cautious. “There’s still a long way to go,” the Élysée Palace warned, describing the agreement as a “first step” but insufficient for a lasting ceasefire.

Paris insists that all efforts are being conducted in full coordination with Washington. “All this is being done in complete transparency with our American partners,” the Élysée stated, with Macron set to brief US President Donald Trump on the summit’s outcomes.

Tensions have been escalating between the US and the EU. On Tuesday, Trump’s top national security officials laid bare their disdain for Europe in a top-secret group chat that was leaked when a journalist was mistakenly added to the conversation.

“I fully share your loathing of European free-loading. It’s pathetic,” said US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, leaving EU officials fuming.

What are the key discussion points?

One of the summit’s primary goals is to bolster aid to Ukraine, with each participating country expected to outline what it is prepared to do.

Another focus will be securing a “complete ceasefire,” accepted by Ukraine, but on which Russia has yet to state its position.

But France remains sceptical of any Russian promises. “We know what kind of cheating and manipulation Russia has already shown itself capable of,” an Élysée source remarked.

Thirdly, to provide long-term support for the Ukrainian army as Europe’s “first line of defence… to prevent further Russian aggression,” said Macron’s entourage.

The most sensitive issue, however, will be the possible establishment of a “reassurance force.”

This could involve deploying peacekeeping troops, an option strongly backed by France and the UK.

The question of whether to send peacekeeping troops is a thorny subject among the 27-nation bloc, with countries such as Italy and Poland opposing this outcome.

Business

Fuel price reduction: ‘Joy’s coming’ – Manufacturers

Published

1 day ago

July 2, 2025

Ekwutos Blog

Director General, Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, Segun Ajayi-Kadiri, sees the price of fuel coming down to N800.

Ekwutosblog reported recently that Dangote Petroleum Refinery slashed its ex-depot price for Premium Motor Spirit, PMS, also known as petrol, to N840 per litre.

The reduction represents a N40 decrease from the previous rate of N880 per litre.

This happened a few days after the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, NNPCL, increased the pump price of petrolto N925 per litre in Lagos.

This decrease is also coming a week after Dangote Refinery increased the ex-depot petrol price to N880 per litre

Speaking in an interview with Channels Television, Ajayi-Kadiri said that it was a welcome development, adding that price of the product would further decrease to N800 with the modalities being put in place by Dangote Refineries.

“You cannot blame anyone for producing and ensuring effective delivery,” he said.

When asked to share his thoughts from a manufacturer’s point of view on what he sees about the long term effect, he added, “So if I may use what the Gen Z is called ‘Joy is coming’, that’s what I see.

“The long term is going to be better. I see the price coming down to 800 and that’s what manufacturers want.

“I just told you now that last year, we spent as much as 1.1 trillion in terms of providing alternatives, apart from the fact that even the quality of the products is not guaranteed.

“So in the near future, I continue to see continued reduction in the price of diesel.

“I also see a situation where other players will be encouraged to come into the field, because that is what it takes. I don’t think that we should use sentiment to dissuade any investor from improving the life and well being of the people.

News

FCT ground rent: I have no apology for revoking Rochas Okorocha’s land – Wike

Published

3 days ago

June 30, 2025

Ekwutos Blog

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, has disclosed that he revoked the land of former Imo State governor, Rochas Okorocha.

Wike warned that the FCT Administration under his leadership will repossess any land where the owners fail to pay their land rent.

He disclosed this during the 60th birthday of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, National Secretary, Samuel Anyanwu, in Abuja over the weekend.

Anyanwu had celebrated his birthday at the newly renovated Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre in Abuja.

Speaking at the event, the Minister assured property owners of getting the best services if they pay their ground rent.

He said: “Rochas Okorocha is here, he is my boss, even though I revoked his land because the right thing must be done, he is my man.

“Senators are here, Ikpeazu, my colleagues are here, yes, if you don’t pay, I will take back our property.

“Look at what Julius Berger did here, is it by empty hand? It is not by money?

“Pay and you will get the best services, and you are getting the best services under the leadership of Tinubu. I have no apologies because I’m the one here.”

News

Suspected herdsmen kill three policemen, seize rifles in Benue

Published

4 days ago

June 29, 2025

Ekwutos Blog

Udei community in Guma Local Government Area of Benue State was thrown into panic on Sunday following an attempted attack by suspected herdsmen, which reportedly left three police officers feared dead.

Eyewitnesses said the gunmen ambushed the officers during the attack and allegedly made away with their rifles.

As of the time of filing this report, the Benue State Police Command and other relevant authorities have not issued any official statement regarding the attack.

More to come…