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Macron stresses need for lasting peace in Ukraine, calls for end to Russian “aggression” after talks with Trump, Zelenskyy

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French President Emmanuel Macron (Photo/@EmmanuelMacron) © Provided by Asian News International (ANI)

Paris [France], February 18 (ANI): French President Emmanuel Macron held discussions with US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and emphasised the importance of a strong and lasting peace.

He stressed that Russia must end its aggression, and that this must be accompanied by “strong and credible” security guarantees for Ukraine.

Sharing a post on X, Macron wrote, “After bringing together several European leaders, I have just spoken with President @realDonaldTrump and then with President @ZelenskyyUa. We seek a strong and lasting peace in Ukraine. To achieve this, Russia must end its aggression, and this must be accompanied by strong and credible security guarantees for the Ukrainians. Otherwise, there is a risk that this ceasefire will end up like the Minsk agreements.”

The post added, “We will work on this together with all Europeans, Americans, and Ukrainians. This is the key. We are convinced that Europeans must invest better, more, and together in their security and defense–both for today and for the future.”

Zelenskyy also shared details of his conversation with French President Macron following his discussions with European leaders about Ukraine‘s security situation. Zelenskyy reiterated the commitment to securing robust and reliable security guarantees for Ukraine, emphasising that any agreement lacking these guarantees–such as a fragile ceasefire–would only enable further deception by Russia and risk reigniting conflict.

In a post on X, Zelenskyy said, “I just had a long conversation with President of France@EmmanuelMacron following his meeting today with other European leaders to discuss the global situation, the state of affairs in Europe, and security guarantees for Ukraine.”

He added, “We share a common vision: security guarantees must be robust and reliable. Any other decision without such guarantees–such as a fragile ceasefire–would only serve as another deception by Russia and a prelude to a new Russian war against Ukraine or other European nations. Emmanuel also briefed me on his talks with other leaders, not just European ones. We agreed to stay in constant contact as major decisions are being made. Ensuring a robust and lasting peace is a must. And that can only be achieved through strong security guarantees.”

Meanwhile, European leaders on Monday reaffirmed their commitment to supporting Ukraine amid Russia‘s invasion, but did not offer any new security guarantees that might alter the situation, especially as Donald Trump pushes for negotiations with Russia, Euro News reported.

At the conclusion of an emergency summit in Paris, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer expressed his willingness to commit British forces on the ground alongside other nations if a lasting peace agreement is reached.

However, he emphasised that a US security guarantee is essential to effectively deter further Russian aggression towards Ukraine.

“I am prepared to consider committing British forces on the ground alongside others if there’s a lasting peace agreement. But there must be a US backstop because a US security guarantee is the only way to effectively deter Russia from attacking Ukraine again,” Starmer said at the end of an emergency summit in Paris.

“We have to recognise the new era we’re in, not cling hopelessly to the comforts of the past. It’s time for us to take responsibility for our security, for our continent,” he added. (ANI)

Politics

Tinubu reforms are in the right direction but social security nets to helo people cushion the effect of his reforms are needed- Okonjo-Iweala

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President Bola Tinubu had a closed door meeting the Director-General of the World Trade Organisation, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, at the Aso Villa in Abuja today August 14.

Tinubu and Okonjo-Iweala were in a closed-door meeting at the nation’s political capital where they discussed trade matters as they relate to national, continental and global relevance.

After the meeting, the former Minister of Finance spoke to State House correspondents. She stated that the President’s economic policies are working and that it has been able to stabilize the economy.

In her words

‘’We (The WTO) think the President and his team have worked hard to stabilize the economy and you cannot improve on an economy unless it is stable so he has to be given the credit for stability of the economy. The reforms have been in the right direction, What is needed next is growth. We now need to grow the economy and we need to put in social safety net so that people who are feeling the pinch of the reforms can also have some support to be able to weather the hardship’’

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Kebbi ADC suspends state chairman, two others

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The African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Kebbi State has suspended its chairman, Engineer Sufiyanu Bala, along with his deputy, Junaidu Muhammed Mudi, and the state secretary, Hauwa Muhammed.

Speaking to journalists in Birnin Kebbi, the party’s publicity secretary, Jamilu Muhammed, accused the Sufiyanu-led leadership of making decisions without consulting other executives.

“We address you today to announce the immediate suspension of Sufiyanu Bala, his deputy, and secretary Hauwa from the party with immediate effect,” he said.

Muhammed alleged that the suspended leaders allowed Abuja nomadic politicians to dominate the party, a move strongly opposed by the founding members.

“We will not, after tailoring the party to its present status, allow Abuja politicians to dominate it,” he added.

According to him, the decision came after an extraordinary meeting of loyal ADC members and stakeholders who have been with the party long before the coming of Abuja impostors.

The party has appointed Abdulrazaq Abubakar Isah Iko as interim chairman and Adamu Aliyu as acting secretary until a new congress is held.

The Kebbi ADC warned the suspended members to stop identifying themselves as party officials or carrying out activities in the party’s name.

It also condemned political gatherings organised by the suspended officials, saying such actions violate the Electoral Act.

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Ekwunife blasts Soludo, says government House not his birthright

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Deputy Governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in the November 8 governorship election in Anambra State, Senator Uche Ekwunife has warned Governor Soludo to get ready to hand over power, insisting that the government house is not his birthright.

Senator Ekwunife stated this while addressing party faithful in her country home in Nri, Anaocha Council area of the state where she described the administration of the governor as an abysmal failure in all round development and security of lives and property.

“Soludo and I are not at war, what is happening is that what he is currently holding is what we want. The constitution of Nigeria made it four year term for every elected governor. And if you do well, you will be re-elected but in the case of Soludo, it is obvious he has lost touch with governance and that is why APC has presented veritable platform for the people of the state to reclaim their state from APGA misrule.

“The governor, rather than concentrate on positive governance, has been going about crying like a baby, calling my name up and down and we are not losing sleep over his rantings. He has not done well to deserve a second term and that is why the state seems to be on autopilot for four years.

“I make bold to say that Soludo was smart to have hurriedly parked into the uncompleted Anambra State government House, which goes to tell his state of panicky mood of losing this election which is going to happen. But he has forgotten that government is a continuum and when one stops, another person takes over and that is why we presented a veritable alternative to Ndi Anambra.”

Also speaking during the programme, the former Minister of State, Science and Technology, Henry Ikoh described the governorship election in the state as very vital in order to connect the state to the mainstream politics of Nigeria and called for total and massive votes for the party and her candidates, Prince Nicholas Ukachukwu and Senator Uche Ekwunife.

Ikoh said the time for the party to clinch Anambra State has come with the massive mobilization of stakeholders across the state and county in general to support the party and ensure smooth victory in the November 8 governorship election.

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