Politics

“It’s a failure for Putin”

Published

7 months ago

October 4, 2024

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Two years ago, when Putin’s special operation in Ukraine began, the regions of Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia were “accepted into the Russian Federation”. Does this forced Russification of Ukrainian territories mean that they were conquered? The writer and former French officer, Guillaume Ancel, disputes this.

If the Russian president has made the annexation of Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia official, does this mean that these territories are fully integrated into the Russian Federation? “Absolutely not,” declares Guillaume Ancel in an interview with La Dépêche. The former officer is clear on the matter: “It’s a measure that was imposed by Vladimir Putin. A legalization of his coup de force on a part of Donbass, which is accepted only by himself. Internationally, no leader recognizes these regions as Russian and these territories remain a theater of war. Putin wanted to once again try the maneuver he had successfully carried out for Crimea in 2014. But this time, he failed.”

But what’s happening to these regions? Where is the fighting? According to Guillaume Ancel, it’s precisely because these regions are still at war that “it’s a failure for Moscow. We could say, that in 2014, even if the subject is contested, Russia had taken possession of Crimea. The territory had been integrated, there was a Russian administration set up and a sort of normalization. We even remember that some politicians in our country, I’m thinking in particular of Marine Le Pen or Philippe de Villiers, had recognized this annexation. Here, in Donbass, this is absolutely not the case. I think Putin hoped that Ukraine would give in at some point, but that didn’t happen. As long as these territories are at war, no one can change their legal status since this status remains disputed”.

And regarding the Ukrainian resistance in these territories, Guillaume Ancel added that it’s indeed present but not “massive”. “Obviously, it’s not possible for Ukrainians to demonstrate in the street or express their opposition to the Russian presence publicly. In truth, it’s very difficult to know what the population thinks. There’s a whole section of these inhabitants who have fled.”

(MH with Manon Pierre – Source: La Dépêche – Picture: Picture by tatarstan.ru via WikiCommons under licence Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International)

Politics

JUST IN: Tinubu returns to Abuja after UK, France trip

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2 minutes ago

April 21, 2025

Ekwutos Blog

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President Bola Tinubu has returned to Abuja after a working visit and retreat in France and London lasting 18 days.

The presidential 001 aircraft conveying the President landed at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja at 9:50 p.m on Monday, the State House media office disclosed.

Tinubu was received by his Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila; the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike; the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, among others.

Tinubu departed Nigeria on Wednesday, April 2, spending some time in Paris, the French capital, before he reportedly proceeded to London two weekends ago.

The Presidency said while away, Tinubu maintained contact with key government officials, overseeing critical national matters, including directives to security chiefs to address emerging threats in some states.

In Paris, the President held talks with the United States Department of State’s Senior Advisor for Africa, Mr. Massad Boulos.

Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, revealed that the discussions included deepening bilateral collaboration aimed at enhancing regional security and promoting sustainable economic development across Africa.

A key aspect of the meeting included joint efforts to advance lasting peace in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, with emphasis on multilateral cooperation and the role of regional stakeholders.

Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Atiku Bagudu, was also among the officials who received the President.

Politics

JUST-IN: President Tinubu Allegedly Had a Secret Meeting With Rivers State Governor, Sim Fubara and The 27 Pro-Wike Assembly Members in London

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2 hours ago

April 21, 2025

Ekwutos Blog

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A source familiar with the political situation in Rivers State has revealed a secret meeting between President Tinubu, Governor Sim Fubara and the embattled 27 Pro-Wike Assembly members in United Kingdom. The source who played anonymity claimed that the reason President Tinubu stayed long away from Nigeria after embarking on a brief holiday was to ensure a conclusive agreement between Gov. Fubara and the 27 Pro-Wike Assembly members.

The source also claimed that the FCT minister, Chief Barr. Nyesom Wike May not be unaware of the ‘foreign meeting amidst the political tension in Rivers State.

According to the source, Governor Fubara is being reined upon to join the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) to support President Tinubu and save his political career.

It’s worthy to note that President Tinubu, Gov. Sim Fubara and the 27 Pro-Wike Assembly members were all on holiday in London. President Tinubu has just returned to Nigeria after spending 19 days in Europe.

Politics

PRESIDENT TINUBU CELEBRATES SENATOR ORJI UZOR KALU AT 65

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2 hours ago

April 21, 2025

Ekwutos Blog

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STATEHOUSE PRESS RELEASE

PRESIDENT TINUBU CELEBRATES SENATOR ORJI UZOR KALU AT 65

President Bola Tinubu congratulates Dr Orji Uzor Kalu, former Governor of Abia State and Senator representing Abia North Senatorial District, on his 65th birthday.

President Tinubu reflects on their enduring friendship and shared commitment to national progress, rooted in their membership of the “Class of ’99” Governors.

The President extols the former Majority Whip’s unwavering patriotism, recalling decades of collaboration marked by mutual respect, even with political differences.

He lauds Senator Kalu’s entrepreneurial spirit, as epitomised in his establishment of Slok Holding and investments in banking and the media, ventures that have created hundreds of jobs.

“Senator Kalu, my friend, is a patriot whose life embodies resilience, generosity, and the transformative power of visionary leadership. On this milestone, I celebrate his contributions to our nation’s economic and political tapestry,” President Tinubu says.

The President prays that God Almighty will grant Senator Kalu renewed strength, wisdom, and many more years of impactful service to Nigeria and humanity.

Bayo Onanuga
Special Adviser tot the President
(Information and Strategy)
April 21, 2025