Politics
Macron proposes France nuclear shield extension, Ukraine troop deployment
The French president addressed the nation amid concerns over Trump’s upending of US-Europe ties
French President Emmanuel Macron on Wednesday announced he would discuss extending France’s nuclear deterrent to European partners and raised the possibility of sending European troops to Ukraine to enforce a peace deal, as Europe scrambles to respond to Donald Trump’s upending of the transatlantic alliance.
In an address to the nation, Macron said that the French were “legitimately worried” about the start of a “new era” after Trump began his second stint in the White House by reversing US policy on Ukraine and risking a historic rupture with Europe.
“I want to believe that the United States will stay by our side but we have to be prepared for that not to be the case,” he said bluntly.
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Trump has made clear his desire to swiftly end the war caused by Russia’s 2022 full-scale invasion of Ukraine through direct negotiations with Moscow.
But Macron offered a stark picture of Russia’s aggressive behaviour, which he said does “not seem to know borders” after its invasion of Ukraine.
“Russia has become, at the moment I am speaking to you and for the years to come, a threat to France and Europe,” he said. “It would be madness to remain a spectator in this world of danger.”
“Who can believe that this Russia of today will stop at Ukraine?” he asked. “Russia has become a threat for France and Europe.”
But he warned Trump that “peace cannot be agreed at any cost” and there cannot be a ceasefire that is “too fragile”.
Ahead of an EU summit Thursday on rearming the continent, he stressed the need for “new budget choices and extra investments” to boost defence spending in France.
Meanwhile, Macron said he would open a debate on extending France’s nuclear deterrent to other European nations, following a “historic” call from likely next German chancellor Friedrich Merz on extending that umbrella of protection.
“I have decided to open up the strategic debate on the protection of our allies on the European continent through our nuclear deterrent,” he said, while adding that any decision on nuclear weapons use would remain with the French head of state.
He also reaffirmed that European military forces could be sent to Ukraine if a peace accord was signed to ensure that Russia does not invade its neighbour again.
A peace agreement for Ukraine would be backed “perhaps, by the deployment of European forces”, Macron said.
“They won’t go to fight today, they won’t go to fight on the front line, but they would be there once a peace deal is signed, to guarantee it is fully respected,” he said.
He added European chiefs of staff would meet in Paris next week to discuss how to support Ukraine after a peace deal.
Both Macron and British Prime Minister Starmer held separate talks with Trump in Washington last week, followed by Zelensky who was subjected to an excruciating public dressing-down by Trump and his US Vice-President J.D. Vance.
But Zelensky appears to be seeking to lower the temperature after Friday’s White House bust-up with Trump where the US president accused the Ukrainian leader of not wanting peace and “gambling with World War III”.
Zelensky on Tuesday called for a “truce” in the sea and sky as a first step to ending the three-year war with Russia, echoing an idea evoked by Macron at talks in London hosted by Starmer at the weekend.
Meanwhile, Macron is mulling a joint visit to Washington alongside Zelensky and Starmer, the French government spokeswoman said Wednesday.
Sophie Primas did not give dates for such a visit, which she said could take place in the “short term”.
The presidency then sought to dampen expectations saying no new visit by Macron to Washington was being considered “at this stage”.
In the initial phase following the February 2022 Russian invasion, Macron repeatedly held telephone talks with President Vladimir Putin. But their last such contact dates back to September 2022.
Coincidentally, Macron after his address met Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban at the Elysee. Orban is an admirer not just of Trump but also Putin, and has repeatedly broken a united EU front on Ukraine.
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Politics
Tinubu’s Minister, Uche Nnaji Resigns Over Alleged Certificate Forgery
Geoffrey Uche Nnaji, the Minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology has tendered his resignation.
He resigned following some allegations of certificate forgery against him.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s media aide Bayo Onanuga who confirmed the resignation in a statement, said the president has accepted the Minister’s decision.
According to Onanuga, Tinubu has “accepted the resignation of Geoffrey Uche Nnaji, the Minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology, following some allegations against him.
“President Tinubu appointed Nnaji in August 2023.
“He resigned today in a letter thanking the President for allowing him to serve Nigeria.
“Nnaji said he has been a target of blackmail by political opponents.
“President Tinubu thanked him for his service and wished him well in future endeavours”.
Politics
Biafra: Ojukwu told me first agitation was necessary, second not – Orji Kalu
Abia North Senator, Orji Uzor Kalu, has revealed his meeting with the first Biafra agitator, late General Chukwuemeka Odumegu Ojukwu, during the last days of his life.
Speaking during an interview on Arise Television monitored by Ekwutosblog on Sunday, Uzor-Kalu said Ojukwu told him that the first Biafra agitation was necessary but second was not.
He also refuted the allegation that he was less Igbo than the people of the entire Southeast.
“I am full blooded Igbo. I was with late Ojukwu in the later days of his life, and his wife, Mrs Bianca can testify to this that I was always coming to the General, and the General was coming to my village to stay some days or weekends.
“And then Ojukwu told me that the first struggle for Biafra was necessary, that the second one is no longer necessary.
“Even if these boys want Biafra, who are you going to rule when you kill all the Igbos? When you stop all Igbos from doing businesses?
“When on Mondays, if you see people going out for business, you start pursuing them and killing them? I mean, it is not rational. It is not just nice.
“I thought with what happened to Nnamdi Kanu, these boys should come together in a table and say, how do we get peace to resolve this matter politically? And not still talking tough as they are trying to behave.
“So I think even if they want Biafra, they should drop their arms and go with their flags and demand for what they want and negotiate for it and talk for a referendum.
“Even the man that fought the civil war, the wife is saying the same thing I’m saying. Minister Bianca Ojukwu knows the thought of her husband, and nobody will believe on the destruction of Igbo land. Enough is enough.
“Let us stop destroying ourselves. Let us stop destroying our properties. Let us stop destroying what we have.
“Look, there is no more commerce in the entire Igbo land. How are we going to live? Things are difficult. Things are very bad for people living there. So how are we going to live? These are the issues,” he said.
Politics
Nigerian Air Force Launches Coordinated Airstrikes Against Fleeing Coup Plotters in Benin Republic
Nigeria has carried out a series of precision airstrikes against members of the failed military coup in the Benin Republic, neutralising several suspected plotters and destroying their escape vehicles.
The operation was executed on Sunday after the Nigerian Air Force (NAF), acting under a joint security arrangement with authorities in Cotonou, tracked the movement of key coup actors attempting to flee in armoured convoys. Intelligence reports had indicated that the fleeing soldiers were heading south toward coastal exit routes.
A senior security official confirmed the mission, saying it was “carefully coordinated with Benin’s leadership” to prevent the coup backers from regrouping and to support efforts to stabilize the country after the attempted takeover.
According to multiple security sources, the airstrikes—lasting approximately 30 minutes—targeted fast-moving convoys believed to be carrying loyalists of the coup leader, Lt. Col. Pascal Tigri. The fleeing soldiers reportedly departed the country’s interior in an effort to evade capture.
Residents in parts of Cotonou reported hearing loud explosions and seeing thick smoke rising from the outskirts, sparking speculation that foreign aircraft were involved in the crackdown on the mutineers.
The development was later confirmed by Agence France-Presse (AFP), which reported that Nigerian jets conducted the strikes in coordination with Beninese authorities working to contain the mutiny.
Speaking on the operation, Nigerian Air Force spokesperson Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame said the mission was carried out “in line with ECOWAS protocols and the mandate of the ECOWAS Standby Force.”
Sources told POLITICS NIGERIA that the strikes successfully disabled multiple armoured vehicles and sealed off escape corridors identified by the fleeing troops. Although no official casualty figures have been released, security insiders disclosed that “a number of hostile elements” were eliminated.
“All sorties were flown with the consent of Beninese authorities and adhered strictly to international rules of engagement,” another official said, noting that planners were careful to avoid civilian areas and minimise collateral damage.
The air operation followed the unsuccessful attempt by Lt. Col. Tigri and his faction—known as the Military Committee for Refoundation—to dissolve state institutions and seize power. Loyalist forces in Benin swiftly regained control, forcing several of the coup backers to attempt a southern retreat before they were intercepted.
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