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What does Biden’s visit to Berlin mean for NATO and EU?

Published

6 months ago

October 18, 2024

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US President Joe Biden will meet with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, French President Emmanuel Macron, and UK Prime Minister Kier Starmer in the German capital, Berlin, this week, as his presidency draws to an end.

His visit, initially scheduled for last week, included a meeting at Germany’s Ramstein air base, where he was set to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and key European leaders. After Biden’s visit was cancelled, Zelenskyy made stops in London, Rome, Berlin, and Paris to present his “Victory Plan” to European leaders.

With Biden preparing to hand over the reigns to either former President Donald Trump or Vice President Kamala Harris, governments across Europe have been making plans for both scenarios, but Europe is going to need to reduce its dependence on the US either way.

Euronews spoke with transatlantic expert Rachel Tausendfreund to discuss the US-EU relations amid ongoing discussions about Ukraine’s potential NATO membership.

Tausendfreund stresses that Europe needs to procure more weapons and ammo together and coordinate together.

“Separately, they’re all buying a decent amount of things or producing a decent amount of material,” she says, adding that because NATO member states are working alone, the capacity is “much lower than it should be.”

France supports producing fighter jets and munitions as a European initiative, but there are other countries, such as Germany, who say that weapons should be bought from wherever it is cheapest and most efficient, including from Israel, causing tension between states.

What would it mean for NATO if Trump wins?

“There are two scenarios. The optimistic kind of French scenario is that finally everyone will agree with France that Europe can’t rely on the US forever and therefore need to establish strategic autonomy. And that would also mean less reliance on US systems because you need also political support sometimes to use some of these weapon systems,” Tausendfreund explains.

She says that is an optimistic scenario that is unlikely to happen because countries on the eastern flank of Europe, who feel vulnerable due to their proximity to Russia, lean on their relationship with the US and focus on their own defences, which can lead to continued fragmentation within Europe for NATO member states.

Regarding the future of Ukraine, Tausendfreund suggests that if Trump were to win the election in less than three weeks, there would likely be a decrease in support for Ukraine.

She believes Trump is going to push Ukraine into negotiations almost immediately, using military support as leverage to pressure Kyiv into talks. “By early January, they’ll be forced to negotiate, regardless of the situation,” she says, underlining that it will probably be important to Trump to get some kind of deal so that he can sell it as a win.

The best-case scenario for NATO under a Trump presidency would be to have a strong EU response and coordination with the UK, leading to a Europeanisation of NATO that keeps the alliance robust, according to the expert. NATO states would need to achieve this by increasing capacity and filling in gaps that could be left if the US withdraws support.

“A positive scenario is you have really a Europeanised NATO where the Europeans are providing 60% of the defence and deterrence capability,” Tausendfreund says.

However, if NATO states and the EU doesn’t ramp up its defence capabilities, then it could become very weak by 2025, she warns.

And what about the consequences for NATO if Harris wins?

“I think we’re looking at one maybe two years of solid support, but with an eye to finding an exit strategy,” Tausendfreund says.

She hopes that a presidency under Kamala Harris could encourage the EU to coordinate together to strength the European pillar. She warns that if Europe continues along this path of not being united in making decisions, that the effects will be negative, and can lead to weakened European security, by 2027 or 2028.

“The US simply doesn’t have the capacity to stay focused on Europe to the extent that it has,” she explains.

On the topic of Ukraine, Tausendfreund says that “if Harris wins, you can expect the same level of support rhetorically as we’ve had in the Biden administration. And I actually think another big spending package would be possible, even if the Republicans have control of the Senate, because a significant number of Republicans, maybe not quite a majority, but close, actually support aiding Ukraine, as long as the political pressure is not that high.”

The future of NATO

Either way, the pressure to arm NATO is unlikely to diminish, regardless of who is elected. Without better cooperation between member states, Russia could feel emboldened and “make trouble on the continent,” the expert says.

Ukraine’s potential NATO membership?

“Ukraine will need pretty strong security guarantees from the NATO’s partners, be it in the form of membership or just in the form of bilateral security guarantees. Well, for that to work, these allies have to be credible security givers and they’re the Europeans that have a lot of work to do,” Tausendfreund adds.

And about Zelenskyy’s peace plan?

“It’s an ambitious plan. It’s clearly just putting on paper what he thinks they would need in order to win. I’m not sure that it’s very realistic he’s going to get it. He’s not going to get it from Biden. I don’t think that’s going to happen,” Tausendfreund says. But under a Harris administration, there could be more support.

Security experts are urging Europe to take a more united approach in producing weapons, and say they need to accelerate making tough decisions for the future of NATO.

EVENTS

JOINT SECURITY TEAM ARRESTS TWO ARMED HOODULUMS DURING A PATROL THAT RESULTED IN AN EXCHANGE OF GUN BATTLE, RECOVERS ONE AUTOMATIC PUMP ACTION AND TWO MOTORCYCLES IN AMORKA, ULI.

Published

2 days ago

April 21, 2025

Ekwutos Blog

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On 19th April 2025, a Joint Security Team comprising of Police Operatives attached to Uli Police Station and Uli Vigilantes on patrol of Operation Udo Ga Chi – Zero Kidnapping engaged armed hoodlums on motorbikes in a gun duel and arrested two suspects and recovers one pump action gun and two motorbikes along Uli, Amorka, along Onitsha-Owerri Road.

The suspects Chigozie Johnson and Umuerima Oguta all males between the age bracket of 30- 32 years confessed to being among members of the criminal gang and were on an evil mission before they were arrested. Meanwhile, during the Police operative’s search in a nearby bush, a lot of blood stains were observed – an indication that some of the gang members escaped with bullet wounds.

In the light of this development, the Command urges all proprietors of private and public hospitals to admit, but report any individual presented with bullet wounds or injuries of a suspicious nature to the nearest Police Station. This measure is critical to the ongoing effort to apprehend the fleeing suspects and prevent further escalation of criminal activities in the State.

The Command remains committed to maintaining security dominance through sustained patrols and targeted security operations in the State.

*SP Tochukwu Ikenga*
Police Public Relations Officer
Anambra State Police Command, Awka

20th April 2025
Admin Nibo

EVENTS

MURDER: NPF COMPLETES EXTRADITION OF BENJAMIN BEST NNAYEREUGO ALIAS “KILLABOI” TO FACE CHARGES ‎ ‎As IGP Appreciates AGF, INTERPOL, Assures of Diligent Prosecution ‎

Published

4 days ago

April 19, 2025

Ekwutos Blog

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‎PRESS RELEASE
‎
‎MURDER: NPF COMPLETES EXTRADITION OF BENJAMIN BEST NNAYEREUGO ALIAS “KILLABOI” TO FACE CHARGES
‎
‎As IGP Appreciates AGF, INTERPOL, Assures of Diligent Prosecution
‎
‎The Nigeria Police Force has successfully completed the extradition of Benjamin Best Nnayereugo, male, widely known as “Killaboi,” from Doha, Qatar to Nigeria. The fugitive, who had been on the run for the murder of Miss Augusta Oseodion Onuwabhagbe, was returned to the country in the early hours of today, Saturday, 19th April 2025, through the coordinated efforts with the Ministry of Justice, INTERPOL National Central Bureau (NCB), Force Headquarters Abuja and the Qatari Judicial Authorities.
‎
‎The extradition followed a petition from the family of the deceased, submitted through their legal representatives dated 29th September 2024. The matter was assigned to INTERPOL NCB Abuja for investigation. Investigations revealed that the suspect, Benjamin Best Nnayereugo, murdered Miss Onuwabhagbe, a 21-year-old first-class student of Lead City University, Ibadan, at his residence located at No. 24A Abiola Apooyi Street, Oral Estate, Ajah, Lagos, on 13th July 2023. After committing the crime, he fled Nigeria and later released an online video purporting to confess to the act, a deceptive strategy to derail investigative efforts.
‎
‎Following his declaration as wanted by the NPF Lagos State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) on 13th October 2023, an INTERPOL Red Notice was issued for his global apprehension. He was initially arrested in Freetown, Sierra Leone, on 20th October 2023 under the false identity “KANU PRINCETON SAMUEL,” but escaped custody during a prison break on 26th November 2023 in Feeetown.
‎
‎Further intelligence gathering revealed that the suspect continued to evade law enforcement, traversing multiple regions including West Africa, East Asia and the Middle East, under forged identities before eventually relocating to Doha, Qatar on 24th January, 2025. Operating under the alias “TOURE ABDOULAYE” with a fraudulent Guinean passport, he secured illegal employment and concealed his identity.
‎
‎Through robust international cooperation and the use of advanced biometrics, INTERPOL NCB Abuja, in collaboration with INTERPOL NCB Doha, confirmed his identity, leading to his arrest by Qatari authorities in February 2025. An official extradition request, processed via the Federal Ministry of Justice, Abuja, was subsequently approved by the Qatari judicial authorities, resulting in his repatriation to Nigeria.
‎
‎The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, Ph.D., NPM, while recognising the strength in the synergy amongst nations to curb trans-border crimes, commended the diligence of INTERPOL NCB Abuja and extended sincere appreciation to the Honorable Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, the Government of Qatar, INTERPOL NCB Doha, and the Nigerian Embassy in Qatar for their invaluable collaboration in securing the fugitive’s return.
‎
‎The Inspector-General of Police further assured the general public of the Nigeria Police Force’s commitment to ensuring that the suspect faces diligent prosecution, as part of the NPF’s dedication to justice and the safety of all Nigerians.
‎
‎
‎ACP OLUMUYIWA ADEJOBI, mnipr, mipra, fCAI,
‎FORCE PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER
‎FORCE HEADQUARTERS
‎ABUJA
‎
‎19TH APRIL, 2025

EVENTS

Swarm of bees kill farmer, injures two others in Osun

Published

4 days ago

April 19, 2025

Ekwutos Blog

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A swarm of bees have attacked and killed a farmer, eaving two others seriously injured in Olobe Farm, Igbajo, Osun State.

The incident, Ekwutosblog gathered occurred on Friday, April 18, 2025.

It was also gathered that the deceased, Abideen Olabiyi, who hailed from Alalade compound, Ada, was working on the farm alongside Solomon Kingsley and Olusegun Alalade when the swarm struck.

A police report from the Otan-Aiyegbaju Division of the Osun State Police Command also confirmed the incident.

The report stated that the three men were attacked suddenly and without warning.

The report partly reads: “Today Friday 18/04/2025, at about 1645 HRS, there was a complaint from one Babasanjo Alalade, male of Alalade compound Ada, Osun State, he stated that today, three of his brothers went to farm, one Abideen Olabiyi, male, Mr Solomon Kingsley and Chief Olusegun Alalade all of Alalade compound Ada, went to the farm in Olobe Farm Igbajo.”

The report noted the victim had been deposited at the Healthy Paradise Mutuary Ikirun for autopsy.

The two surviving victims are currently receiving care at an undisclosed medical facility in Ada, Osun State, where their conditions are reported to be critical.

“On getting to the farm they were attacked by bunch of bees X and as a result x Mr Abideen Olabiyi ( M) X lost his life x while the other two victims manage to escape with their lives X detectives mine visited the scene X photograph taken X corps removed and deposited at Healthy Paradise Mutuary Ikirun for autopsy while the other two victims were rushed to undisclose hospital at Ada for treatment x for your information sir X From Supol Otan Ayegbaju Division.”