Vladimir Putin | InsideOjodu

Putin warns NATO of World War III

Hafeestonova — Tue, 19 Mar 2024 09:18:15 +0000

Russian President, Vladimir Putin, says a direct conflict between Russia and NATO would mean that the planet is one step away from World War Three, according to Reuters.

The comments came as Putin claimed a landslide victory in Russia’s presidential election with 87.8 per cent of the votes.

The US, Germany, the UK, and other nations have said the election was neither free nor fair due to the imprisonment of political opponents and censorship.

During his post-election briefing, Putin said, “It is clear to everyone that this will be one step away from a full-scale World War Three. I think hardly anyone is interested in this.”

French President Emmanuel Macron previously stated that he could not rule out the possibility of deploying ground troops in Ukraine.

Responding to questions about Macron’s statements and the risks and possibility of conflict between Russia and NATO, Putin said, “Everything is possible in the modern world.”

Putin added that NATO servicemen were already in Ukraine.

Earlier, Putin stated that Russia was technically ready for nuclear war. He said if the United States sent troops to Ukraine, it would be seen as a significant escalation of the conflict.

In response, French President Macron stated that Putin should not make threats when his country possesses nuclear weapons.

According to the French president, he has not spoken with Putin for several months. Such dialogue was held “when necessary.”

In the United States, in response to Putin’s statements, it was noted that they do not see any plans by Russia to use nuclear weapons against Ukraine.

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Nigeria, Russia pledge closer ties

Hafeestonova — Fri, 28 Jul 2023 09:20:31 +0000

President Vladimir Putin of Russia on Thursday pledged closer ties with Nigeria and other African countries, assuring leaders in the continent that the European country was ready to partner with African states to develop their energy, Information Communication, education, and health sectors, among others.

This came as Vice President Kashim Shettima said Nigeria would partner with Russia to revive the Aluminium Smelter Company of Nigeria, particularly by engaging with key stakeholders in the industry.⁣

They both spoke at the ongoing Russia-Africa Economic and Humanitarian Forum held at the ongoing Russia-Africa Summit in St. Petersburg, Russia.

The summit is being attended by several African heads of state including Shettima who represented President Bola Tinubu, and President Emmerson Mnangagwa of Zimbabwe.

Shettima is attending the summit with a team of Nigerian delegations.

Other officials at the forum were Nigeria’s Ambassador to Russia, Shehu Abdullahi; Nigeria’s Ambassador to Germany, Yusuf Tugar; Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Petroleum Resources, Gabriel Aduda; Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Mines and Steel Development, Mary Ogbe, and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, Mr Gbenga Komolafe, among others.⁣
“The sooner we get this plant back to production, the better for everyone. We need to walk the talk; the Nigerian people deserve better,” Shettima said at a meeting with the management of Russian Aluminium Company, UC RUSAL, and other stakeholders in the project on the sideline of the summit.

Meanwhile, Putin noted in his opening remarks that the potential for trade and economic cooperation between Russia and African countries was much higher than the trade turnover of $18bn seen in 2022.⁣
He restated his country’s commitment to food security in Africa and beyond, stressing that “Russia will continue to work towards shaping a more equitable global food distribution system.”⁣

The Russian leader added that his country would increase its support for Africa which accounts for 65 percent of the world’s arable land and around 10 per cent of domestic renewable freshwater sources, noting “its huge potential for the further development of agriculture.”⁣

“I would like to emphasise that Russia is sincerely interested in continuing to promote all-round development and deepen trade, economic and humanitarian cooperation with all African countries. I have no doubt that this forum and the thematic meetings, round tables, and talks held within its framework will certainly be useful and will bring us closer to our common goals,” he said in his speech at the event.

The Russian leader also pledged to help Nigeria and other African states to tackle food crisis.

He said, “Our country will continue to support states and regions in need, including with its humanitarian supplies. We are seeking to actively participate in the formation of a more equitable system for the distribution of resources and are doing our utmost to prevent a global food crisis.

“In principle, we are convinced that with the application of appropriate agricultural technologies and the correct organisation of agricultural production, Africa can in the long term not only feed itself and ensure its own food security but also become an exporter of various types of food. And Russia will only support you, I assure you.”

Meanwhile, the State House Director of Information, Office of the Vice President, Olusola Abiola, in a statement later on Thursday titled ‘Reviving ALSCON: VP Shettima meets stakeholders, restates FG’s determination to resuscitate plant’, said Shettima’s sideline meetings at the event were in furtherance of the efforts by the Federal Government to reactivate production lines at ALSCON by re-engaging with UC RUSAL and other partners in the resuscitation of the plant.⁣

Speaking after a presentation by the UC RUSAL management, Shettima noted the enormous benefits for the economy in many aspects, such as in the area of energy transition, and job creation both directly and indirectly, and its impact on the development of small businesses is also huge.⁣

He urged all the stakeholders to expedite work on the plan of action to restart production at the company.⁣

Earlier, Shettima joined other African leaders at the Russia–Africa Economic and Humanitarian Forum declared open by Russian President, Vladimir Putin.⁣

The VP also attended a State banquet hosted by President Putin for the visiting heads of delegation at St. Petersburg’s ExpoForum.⁣

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Russia will never win in Ukraine- President Biden

Hafeestonova — Wed, 22 Feb 2023 10:12:54 +0000

United States President Joe Biden was due to meet eastern European leaders on Wednesday, a day after vowing Russia would never see victory in Ukraine.

Vladimir Putin has said Russia will press on with its nearly year-long war. On Tuesday, he accused the West of escalating the conflict and announced Moscow would suspend participation in the New START nuclear arms treaty with Washington.The Russian president said increasingly stringent sanctions on the country “will not succeed” and vowed his country would keep fighting to “systematically” achieve its aims.

Speaking hours later in the capital of NATO ally Poland, Biden pledged that “Ukraine will never be a victory for Russia — never”.

The 80-year-old leader had a day earlier made a surprise visit to Kyiv, his first since the invasion began and just days before the war’s one-year anniversary.

Surrounded by a flag-waving crowd outside Warsaw’s Royal Castle, Biden responded directly to Putin’s accusations, saying the West “is not plotting to attack Russia”.

He said Putin “thought autocrats like himself were tough” but faced the “iron will” of the United States and its partners.

There should be no doubt: our support for Ukraine will not waver, NATO will not be divided and we will not tire.”

Biden earlier met Polish President Andrzej Duda, saying his visit had come “at a critical moment”.

He also reaffirmed Washington’s “iron-clad” commitment to NATO’s principle of collective defence.

Duda said that thanks to Biden “we can see that America can keep the world order”.

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Putin wants to eliminate Ukraine’s identity- Biden

Hafeestonova — Mon, 23 May 2022 11:43:49 +0000

United States President, Joe Biden, on Monday, accused President Vladimir Putin of Russia of trying to destroy Ukraine’s identity.

According to Biden, this is as witnessed by Russian bombardments of civilian targets such as schools, hospitals, daycare centres and museums.

“I believe what Putin is attempting to do is to eliminate the identity of Ukraine.

“He can’t occupy it, but he can try to destroy its identity,’’ Biden said in Tokyo.

Biden said “Putin must pay a dear price for his barbarism in Ukraine,’’ in order to deter others from taking similar action, in reference to military tensions around Taiwan.

He was speaking at a joint news conference with Japanese Prime Minister, Fumio Kishida

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Russia planning to leave the WHO and World Trade Organisation

Hafeestonova — Wed, 18 May 2022 14:00:11 +0000

The Russian government is planning to leave the WHO and World Trade Organisation as Putin continues to isolate his nation from the West following the invasion of Ukraine.

Moscow’s Foreign Ministry yesterday sent a list of international organisations to parliament, with orders to review it and break ‘obligations [or] treaties which do not bring benefit, but direct damage to our country,’ deputy speaker Pyotr Tolstoy said.

The World Health Organisation and World Trade Organisation are among names on the list, Russian news agencies reported.

It comes after Western countries cut off large parts of the Russian economy from the global trade via sanctions, with hundreds of western businesses pulling out of the country to protest the war.

WHO member states have already tried to force the health body into taking action over the invasion.

Last week, they voted in favour of a non-binding resolution condemning Russian attacks on Ukrainian healthcare facilities, and the effect of the war on public health.

The same resolution also called on WHO chiefs to consider closing their office in Moscow and relocating it outside the country.

Russia condemned the resolution as ‘exclusively political in nature’ and said it had no bearing on healthcare provision in either country.

Plans to withdraw from the WTO have been tabled in Moscow many times before. Russia only joined the global body in 2012 after 19 years of negotiations.

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Putin may use chemical, biological weapons in Ukraine – Biden

Hafeestonova — Tue, 22 Mar 2022 09:41:50 +0000

United States President Joe Biden said Monday that it’s “clear” Russia is considering the use of chemical and biological weapons in Ukraine and warned of a “severe” Western response if it chose to do so.

“His back is against the wall,” said Biden of Russian President Vladimir Putin, noting that Russia has recently accused the United States of holding chemical and biological weapons in Europe

“Simply not true. I guarantee you,” he told a gathering of US business leaders in Washington.

“They are also suggesting that Ukraine has biological and chemical weapons in Ukraine. That’s a clear sign he’s considering using both of those,” he said.

His warning echoed statements made by his administration earlier this month as well as other Western nations after Russian officials accused Ukraine of seeking to hide an alleged US-backed chemical weapons program.

“Now that Russia has made these false claims… we should all be on the lookout for Russia to possibly use chemical or biological weapons in Ukraine, or to create a false flag operation using them,” tweeted White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki.

Biden on Monday also reiterated that such an action would prompt a “severe” but so far undefined response from Western allies.

Putin “knows there’ll be severe consequences because of the united NATO front,” he said, without specifying what actions the alliance would take.

At the same event, Biden noted that he had warned Putin of a US response if Russia launched cyberattacks against US critical infrastructure.

“We had a long conversation about if he uses it, what will be the consequence,” said Biden, referring to a summit with the Russian leader last year in Geneva.

Earlier in the day, Biden issued a statement warning the US business community of intelligence pointing to a growing Russian cyber threat and urging companies to “immediately” prepare defenses.

“If you have not already done so, I urge our private sector partners to harden your cyber defenses immediately,” he said, citing “evolving intelligence that the Russian government is exploring options for potential cyberattacks” including in response to Western sanctions over Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine.

“It’s part of Russia’s playbook,” he said.

His statement added that the US government would “continue to use every tool to deter, disrupt, and if necessary, respond to cyberattacks against critical infrastructure.”

However, he underlined that most critical infrastructure in the country is owned and operated by private entities, which cannot be compelled to take specific cyber security measures.

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Russia ready to search for solutions – Putin

Hafeestonova — Fri, 18 Mar 2022 14:11:54 +0000

The Russian President, Vladimir Putin, said, on Friday, that Moscow was ready to search for solutions amid negotiations with Ukraine.

Putin made this known as he spoke with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on the telephone, the AFP repor

He, however, accused Ukrainian authorities of stalling talks by putting forward unrealistic proposal

“It was noted that the Kyiv regime is trying in every possible way to stall negotiations, putting forward more and more unrealistic proposals,” the Kremlin said after the phone call. Nevertheless the Russian side is ready to continue to search for solutions in line with its well-known principled approaches..’sssos.s.approaches.”

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Ukraine: Trump praises Russia’s Putin

Hafeestonova — Sun, 27 Feb 2022 08:10:39 +0000

Donald Trump emerged from political exile Saturday to blast President Joe Biden and NATO over the Ukraine crisis and repeated his false claims of a stolen 2020 election in a speech to grassroots Republicans.

Speaking at the annual Conservative Political Action Conference in Orlando, Florida, the former president spent 86 minutes repeating many of his favorite applause lines, faulting the “radical left” and its “witch hunt” against him.

As massive explosions lit up the sky over Ukraine’s capital Kyiv, Trump blamed Russia’s invasion of its neighbor on Biden’s “weakness” and lavished praise on President Vladimir Putin’s intellect.

“As everyone understands, this horrific disaster would never have happened if our election was not rigged,” he said, to rapt applause.

NATO, he said, was “looking the opposite of smart” for hitting Russia with sanctions rather than resolving to “blow (Russia) to pieces — at least psychologically.”

“The problem is not that Putin is smart, which of course he’s smart,” he went on. “But the real problem is that our leaders are so dumb.

After a year largely out of the public eye, Trump’s ecstatic reception left little doubt that the Republican Party remains in thrall to the twice-impeached, single-term president. There were chants of “four more years” from the sea of supporters in red “Make America Great Again” hats, who clapped on cue as Trump railed against “woke tyranny” and “cancel culture.”

The crowd reserved their largest cheers for the 75-year-old headliner’s dismissal of Democrats’ claims to be the party of democracy as “bullshit” — and for his claim that Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg “used to come to the White House and kiss my ass.”

There were nods to a possible 2024 run — “we did it twice and we’ll do it again,” he claimed, falsely recasting his 2020 defeat to Biden as a victory — although he left the crowd guessing about whether he will personally challenge Biden to a rematch.

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Russia ready to negotiate with Ukraine – Putin

Alice Babalola — Fri, 25 Feb 2022 17:32:07 +0000

The Russian President, Vladimir Putin has said he is ready to send representatives to the Belarusian capital of Minsk to talk with Ukraine.

This was according to a readout from Kremlin spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, in response to the request of the Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

The Cable News Network reported that Putin’s decision follows a request made by Zelenskyy.

A statement by Kremlin spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, said: “Following Zelensky’s proposal to discuss the neutral status of Ukraine, Putin can send representatives of the Ministry of Defence, the Foreign Ministry and his administration to negotiations with the Ukrainian delegation.”

The statement said Minsk was chosen as the venue for the proposed talk.

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Putin announces ‘military operation’ in Ukraine

Hafeestonova — Thu, 24 Feb 2022 10:20:26 +0000

Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a military operation in Ukraine on Thursday with explosions heard soon after in the capital and other parts of the country, prompting outrage from Joe Biden who warned of a “catastrophic loss of life”.

Weeks of intense diplomacy and the imposition of Western sanctions failed to deter Putin, who had massed between 150,000 and 200,000 troops along the borders of Ukraine.

“I have made the decision of a military operation,” Putin said in a surprise television announcement shortly before 6:00am (0300 GMT) in Moscow.

He also called on Ukrainian soldiers to lay down their arms, claiming he wanted a “demilitarisation” of the former Soviet state but not its occupation.

An AFP reporter in Kyiv heard explosions within about 30 minutes of Putin’s announcement. Explosions were also heard in the eastern city of Mariupol, according to AFP.

US President Biden announced he would address the nation Thursday on “consequences” for Russia and said the world would “hold Russia accountable” for its actions

He said a Russian attack would cause “catastrophic loss of life and human suffering”.

Putin’s announcement statement came after the Kremlin said rebel leaders in eastern Ukraine had asked Moscow for military help against Kyiv.

In response, Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky made an emotional late-night appeal to Russians not to support a “major war in Europe”.

Speaking Russian, Zelensky said that the people of Russia are being lied to about Ukraine and that the possibility of war also “depends on you”.

“Who can stop (the war)? People. These people are among you, I am sure,” he said.

Zelensky said he had tried to call Putin but there was “no answer, only silence”, adding that Moscow now had around 200,000 soldiers near Ukraine’s borders.

Earlier on Wednesday the separatist leaders of Donetsk and Lugansk sent separate letters to Putin, asking him to “help them repel Ukraine’s aggression”, Putin’s spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.

The two letters were published by Russian state media and were both dated February 22.

Their appeals came after Putin recognised their independence and signed friendship treaties with them that include defence deals

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