ABUJA — The Federal Government has asked Russia to withdraw its troops from Ukraine and embrace diplomatic measures to address the current crisis involving both countries.
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, made the call on behalf of the Federal Government of Nigeria on Friday after a meeting with the envoys of the G7 countries in Nigeria.
Expressing worries over the Russian-Ukraine conflict with a call for peace to resolve the conflict, he said Nigeria does not condone the approach of aggression by Russia, calling on Russia to pull back.
Months of tensions between Russia and Ukraine took another dimension on Thursday with airstrikes recorded in Ukraine.
As of Friday morning, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said at least 137 Ukrainian soldiers and civilians had been killed since the Russian invasion began.
Speaking on the development after the closed-door meeting, Onyeama said the Nigerian government has advised the adoption of peacebuilding initiatives to resolve the conflict.
“Peace and diplomacy to be prioritised by both sides. We support every effort being made to stop the aggression and Russian troops to return to Russia,” the Minister said.
In attendance at the meeting were German Ambassador to Nigeria and chairman of the G7 Group, Birgitt Ory; United States Ambassador to Nigeria, Mary Beth Leonard; British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Catriona Laing; Head of the European Union Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Samuela Isopi; as well as representatives of the embassies of Japan and Canada.
Ezinwanne Onwuka, senior staff reporter and columnist with WAP is a Nigerian-based writer and content developer. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Philosophy from the prestigious University of Nigeria, Nsukka. Her interests include reading, writing, researching and graphic designing.
Latest posts by By Ezinwanne Onwuka (Senior Reporter) (see all)
previous
NAN Bureau Chief Returned Unopposed As NUJ Chapel Chairman
next
