Politics
Zelensky dampens hopes Trump could strike peace deal with Putin

Published
2 months agoon
By
Ekwutos Blog
Volodymyr Zelensky has insisted that Ukraine will never recognise occupied Ukrainian territories as being part of Russia, even if pressured to do so by allies, dampening hopes that Donald Trump may be able to strike a peace deal.
‘No matter what anyone wants, even if all the allies in the world unite, we will never recognise the occupied territories [as part of Russia]. This is impossible,’ the Ukrainian president emphasised.
‘We will not legally recognise them. For us, they will always remain occupied territories until we liberate them.’
Trump, who took office for a second term on Monday and was last in power before Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, has repeatedly said he could end the war swiftly, without specifying how.
His newly-appointed Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Tuesday that ending the war was a priority for the president, but would only be possible if both sides make significant concessions.
‘Anytime you bring an end to a conflict between two sides, neither of whom can achieve their maximum goals, each side is going to have to give up something,’ he told CNN, adding that ultimately the decision would be down to the Ukrainians and Russians.
It comes after Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said today that Moscow sees a small window of opportunity to forge agreements with the new US administration.
‘We cannot say anything today about the degree of the incoming administration’s capacity to negotiate, but still, compared to the hopelessness in every aspect of the previous White House chief (Joe Biden), there is a window of opportunity today, albeit a small one,’ Ryabkov said, according to Interfax.

Volodymyr Zelensky has insisted that Ukraine will never recognise occupied Ukrainian territories as being part of Russia

Donald Trump, who took office for a second term on Monday, has said he could end the war swiftly, without specifying how

A Russian soldier fires a self-propelled gun
‘It’s therefore important to understand with what and whom we will have to deal, how best to build relations with Washington, how best to maximise opportunities and minimise risks,’ he said, speaking at the Institute for US and Canadian Studies, a think-tank in Moscow.
Trump warned on Tuesday that he would likely impose more sanctions on Russia if President Vladimir Putin refused to negotiate to end the nearly three-year-old conflict.
He gave no details on the possible additional sanctions on Russia, which is already under significant Western sanctions over the war.
The new president also issued a blow to the Kremlin on Tuesday, accusing Putin of ‘destroying Russia‘ with his failed war as he urged him to ‘make a deal’ to end the conflict.
‘He has to make a deal. I think he is destroying Russia by not making a deal,’ Trump said in a stark warning to the dictator.
‘I think Russia is going to be in big trouble,’ he added, saying that Putin ‘can’t be thrilled that he’s not doing so well.’
‘I mean, he works hard, but most people thought the war would be over in about a week, and now it’s been three years, right?’
The Russian economy was sinking, he went on, with inflation a major threat.
Putin, 72, earlier said he was ready to engage with Trump but still insisted on an outcome favouring Russia.
‘We are open to dialogue with the new US administration on the Ukrainian conflict. The most important thing here is to eliminate the root causes of the crisis,’ said the Russian ruler. An initial phone call is expected by Moscow to take place soon.
Trump said Zelensky was ready for a deal to halt the debilitating conflict, and the 78-year-old US leader said he planned to meet Putin with whom he had a ‘great relationship’ during his first term.
‘We’re going to try to do it as quickly as possible. You know, the war between Russia and Ukraine should never have started.’

Trump warned on Tuesday that he would likely impose more sanctions on Russia if President Vladimir Putin refused to negotiate to end the nearly three-year-old conflict
After months of Ukraine occupying parts of Russia’s Kursk region as it aims to improve its position in the event of talks, Zelensky stated that any dialogue could only go ahead with Kyiv in a position of strength.
‘Putin cannot be treated as legitimate in this situation. He has violated everything. He must understand his transgression,’ the Ukrainian president said today, adding that if Putin was ‘approached as an equal – that would be a loss for Ukraine.’
But, he said, his government’s top priority was to find a way to halt the war, which has claimed the lives of at least 43,000 Ukrainian soldiers, according to figures released by Ukraine in December.
‘We must find all possible ways to end the hot phase of the war. This is the number one issue,’ Zelensky said.
‘There can be many talks, but the main goal is to stop the active phase. This is the first guarantee of security.’
Russia has occupied Crimea since its 2014 invasion of the territory. Months later it took large parts of the Donbas region, launching a was under the guise of a separatist uprising.
Since the full-scale invasion in 2022, Russian forces have controlled large swathes of southern and eastern Ukraine.
Meanwhile, since a surprise attack in August, Kyiv’s forces occupy around 600 sq km of Russian territory.
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Politics
Tinubu directs security agencies to track down killers of hunters in Edo

Published
10 hours agoon
March 28, 2025By
Ekwutos Blog
President Bola Tinubu has condemned the killing of hunters traveling through Uromi in Esan North Local Government Area of Edo State, directing security agencies to launch a manhunt for the perpetrators.
In a statement issued by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President (Information and Strategy), Tinubu expressed shock over the incident.
He ordered the police and other security agencies to conduct swift and thorough investigations to ensure that those responsible are brought to justice.
The President extended his condolences to the families of the victims, assuring them that the government would not allow criminals to shed the blood of innocent Nigerians without consequences.
He emphasized that jungle justice has no place in Nigeria and reaffirmed the right of all citizens to move freely across the country.
Tinubu also commended Edo State Governor Senator Monday Okpebholo and community leaders in Uromi for their prompt intervention to prevent further escalation of tensions in the area.
Politics
Canada PM Carney declares Canada’s traditional ties with US are over amid auto tariff threats

Published
17 hours agoon
March 28, 2025By
Ekwutos Blog
Ottawa [Canada], March 28 (ANI): In a dramatic shift in Canada‘s foreign policy, Prime Minister Mark Carney on Thursday declared that the long-standing economic and security relationship between Canada and the United States has ended, responding to US President Donald Trump‘s announcement of new auto tariffs that could severely impact Canada‘s economy, Politico reported.
“The old relationship we had with the United States, based on deepening integration of our economies and tight security and military cooperation, is over,” Carney stated on Parliament Hill after breaking from the federal campaign trail in response to Trump’s latest threats.
Trump announced Wednesday that his administration would impose a 25 percent tariff on auto imports from Canada, the European Union, Japan, and South Korea. He also threatened to introduce additional tariffs targeting major UStrading partners.
In reaction, Carney said that he would speak with Trump in the coming days but made clear that any discussion must respect Canada‘s sovereignty. “We must fundamentally reimagine our economy. We will need to ensure that Canada can succeed in a drastically different world,” he said.
Carney convened his Cabinet’s committee on Canada–US relations upon returning to Ottawa. Canada has indicated it is ready to retaliate but has not revealed specific countermeasures. “We are facing a comprehensive and broad negotiation,” Carney said, adding that he would not disclose Canada‘s response strategy prematurely.
Flavio Volpe, president of the Automotive Parts Manufacturers Association of Canada, warned that if the tariffs proceed, both countries’ auto industries would be paralysed within a week. “One day, two days, three days where you hope the president shows you mercy. You’re a publicly traded company whose share price is taking a beating, and you have a fiduciary obligation to shareholders,” Volpe told Politico.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford spoke with USCommerce Secretary Howard Lutnick on Wednesday about the potential impact on his province. According to Ford, Lutnick explained that tariffs on vehicles from Canada and Mexico would be adjusted based on US content. For example, if a car built in Mexico contains 50 percent American parts, the tariff rate would be reduced to 12.5 percent instead of the full 25 percent.
“He’s reassuring us that there’ll be no plant closures. My response was Ronald Reagan’s response: Trust but verify,” Ford said. “If they’re opening or closing, it’s going to be up to the CEOs.”
Ford also confirmed that he spoke with Carney and that both agreed Canada would fully retaliate if necessary. Ottawa has previously stated that it could impose up to CAD 155 billion in counter-tariffs on US goods.
Trump responded on Truth Social early Thursday, warning that if Canada and the EU coordinated against the tariffs, the US would introduce even harsher trade measures. “If the European Union works with Canada in order to do economic harm to the USA, large-scale Tariffs, far larger than currently planned, will be placed on them both in order to protect the best friend that each of those two countries has ever had!” Trump wrote.
Carney dismissed Trump’s threat, asserting that Canada would act in its own national interest. “What is clear is that we as Canadians have agency, we have power. We are masters in our own home,” he said. “We can control our destiny.”
Since becoming Liberal Party leader on March 9, Carney has not spoken directly with Trump. While members of his Cabinet may travel to Washington, he stated that he has no immediate plans to do so. Volpe suggested that a phone call would be preferable to an in-person visit.
“I don’t think it’s in anybody’s interest in Canadato get Zelenskyy-ed,” Volpe said, referring to how the Biden administration has handled Ukraine’s leader. “They’ve shown that they lack the class to treat an ally whose people are dying with any respect. I imagine that we’d be risking that as well.”
He also advised that Canada remain patient and allow the economic fallout in the US to take effect. “What if we go to the other side and everything shuts down, and 950,000 US auto workers are sitting around? That’s ugly, but that’s also hopeful,” Volpe said. “That’s a whole group that people are going to have to hear from, and they’re not going to talk about the price of eggs. They’re going to talk about how to make rent.”
Lana Payne, president of Unifor, Canada‘s largest private-sector union, called on the government to protect auto workers and warned the US against trying to shift manufacturing southward while maintaining access to Canada‘s market. “If you think you can shift production, factories, mills and reinvest in the United States out of Canada and think that you’re going to have open access to our market, you need to think again,” Payne said.
Canadian premiers have also voiced concerns. “Here’s the thing: Donald Trump is trying to create uncertainty all over the world, in Canada included. And he’s trying to make people panic so that he can get a deal that takes advantage of us,” said Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew.
Quebec Premier Francois Legault called for an immediate renegotiation of the United States-Canada-Mexico Agreement (USMCA) but acknowledged that might not be realistic under Trump. “It has to happen as soon as possible because right now, we cannot start negotiating piece by piece a new agreement,” Legault said. “But we have to be realistic. Is Mr. Trump open to this negotiation?”
Mexico, Canada, and South Korea currently benefit from duty-free access to the US auto market under trade agreements that Trump renegotiated during his first term. However, the new tariffs could significantly disrupt North America’s integrated auto supply chains, Politico reported.
Mayors from Canada, Mexico, and the US are set to meet in Washington on Friday for a trade summit, where they will advocate for tariff relief.
Candace Laing, president and CEO of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, criticised the tariffs as a reckless economic move that could cost thousands of jobs in both countries. She noted that the Ontario-Michigan supply chain alone produces nearly a quarter of North America’s vehicles and warned that Trump’s tariffs would significantly increase vehicle costs. “Under Trump’s tariffs, the cost of a pickup truck would rise by USD 8,000,” she said.
According to US Commerce Department data, the United States imported USD 214 billion worth of passenger cars in 2024. The US government has stated that the new tariffs will take effect on April 3, just one week away.
Politics
2027: Kano already secured for APC – Akpabio

Published
17 hours agoon
March 28, 2025By
Ekwutos Blog
Senate President Godswill Akpabio says Kano State remains a stronghold for the All Progressives Congress, APC, ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Akpabio said his confidence is based on the strategic influence of Deputy Senate President, Barau Jibrin, APC National Chairman Abdullahi Ganduje, and Special Adviser to the President on Senate Matters, Senator Basheer Lado.
The President of the Senate stated this during a visit to Lado in his office at the National Assembly.
He applauded him for ensuring seamless and confidential communication between the Executive and the Senate, describing his performance as unprecedented.
“With the Deputy Senate President, the National Chairman of APC, and your strategic influence, Kano is already secured for the APC ahead of 2027,” Akpabio said.
“Since Senator Lado assumed office, there has not been a single leakage of private communication between the Presidency and the Senate,” hee said.
Akpabio reiterated the importance of maintaining confidentiality in governance, warning that leaks could negatively impact national security and decision-making.
He also acknowledged Lado’s role in enhancing collaboration between the Executive and the Legislature, ensuring smoother communication and coordination.
“Your performance over the last eight months has been outstanding. You have strengthened the synergy between the Executive and the Legislature, making governance more effective,” he added.

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