NewStats: 3,262,147 , 8,176,201 topics. Date: Saturday, 31 May 2025 at 11:08 PM 3t6l5f

Invasion: Nigeria, 140 Others Vote Against Russia, Ukraine To Get $5.2bn Lifeline

• Embassy sends Nigerian volunteer fighters’ list to Ukraine

Nigeria on Wednesday sided with 140 countries to demand the immediate withdrawal of Russian troops from Ukraine.

The United Nations General Assembly overwhelmingly adopted a resolution that “demands” Russia’s “immediately” withdraw from Ukraine, in a powerful rebuke of Moscow’s invasion by a vast majority of the world’s nations.

Also on Wednesday, the International Monetary Fund and World Bank Group said they would respond to Ukraine’s request for urgent financing with about $5.2bn cumulatively.

In the UN, after more than two days of extraordinary debate which saw the Ukrainian ambassador accuse Russia of genocide, 141 out of 193 member states voted for the non-binding resolution. However, about five countries sided with Russia. They include- Eritrea, North Korea, Syria, Belarus and Russia.

About 35 countries – mainly African nations – abstained from voting. They include: Algeria, Angola, Armenia, Bangladesh, Bolivia, Burundi, Central African Republic, China, Congo, Cuba, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, India, Iran, Iraq, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Lao, Madagascar, Mali, Mongolia, Mozambique, Namibia, Nicaragua, Pakistan, Senegal, South Africa, South Sudan, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Tajikistan, Uganda, Tanzania, Vietnam and Zimbabwe.

However, 141 countries including Nigeria, the United States, the United Kingdom, , and Canada, condemned Russia. The resolution deplored the invasion of Ukraine “in the strongest ” and condemned President Vladimir Putin’s decision to put his nuclear forces on alert.

Nigeria’s stand on Wednesday was a historic departure from its non-aligned movement in the politics between the West and Russia.

Buhari Approves $8.5m For Evacuation
Meanwhile, the Federal Executive Council on Wednesday in Abuja, approved $8.5m (N3.5bn) to facilitate the immediate evacuation of 5,000 Nigerians from Ukraine, Poland, Romania, Hungary and Slovakia.

The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs of Nigeria, Zubairu Dada, disclosed this to State House Correspondents shortly after the Federal Executive Council meeting presided over by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo at the Council Chambers of the Presidential Villa.

Dada, who spoke alongside the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Sadiya Farouk, said the approval followed a t memo presented by both ministries at the council meeting.

He said the evacuees include 940 from Romania, 150 from Slovakia and 350 from Poland who have ed to leave.

On the amount approved, Dada explained that “The Ministry of humanitarian affairs wrote a memo to the President seeking funding to enable us to conduct this exercise. The memo was to the tune of $8.5m, which Mr President has graciously approved. That provision entails an arrangement to evacuate no less than 5,000 Nigerians.

“It also includes some assistance for the feeding that may have been done by the missions under whatever arrangements. Even the missions themselves are also in dire situations.”

Quizzed about when the funds will be released, Dada said, “That is why the evacuation flights will begin today (Wednesday).”

Nigerians await visas to Ukraine war
However, while the Nigerian government was making plans to evacuate over 5,000 of its citizens stranded in Ukraine, over 100 Nigerians are awaiting visas to travel from Nigeria to Ukraine to the war and fight against Russian belligerents having ed at the Ukrainian Embassy in Nigeria.

It was learnt that since Ukraine had already shut its airspace, anyone seeking to come into the country will have to use land borders at Romania, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia.

“Foreigners willing to defend Ukraine and world order as part of the International Legion of Territorial Defence of Ukraine, I invite you to foreign diplomatic missions of Ukraine in your respective countries. Together we defeated Hitler, and we will defeat Putin, too.”

In an interview with The PUNCH on Wednesday, the Second Secretary at the Ukrainian Embassy to Nigeria, Bohdan Soltys, said the list of those willing to fight for Ukraine had been sent to Kyiv.

He said, “About 100 people wrote to us and said they would like to do this. We have transferred the information to the Ukrainian government and so far we have not received any and a positive response.”

When asked if women would also be drafted, Soltys stated, “Right now, no.”

He, however, explained that the process may not be as easy for Nigerians since Nigerians need visas to visit most European countries and the

“There are also challenges because you cannot fly directly to Ukraine only to those countries bordering Ukraine but some of these people need visas and you need to get in touch with some of these countries. So, it is not like you can apply today and be in Ukraine tomorrow. Nigerians need visas to all the European countries,” he said.

Punch

They wrote in the old days that it is sweet and fitting to die for one's country. But in modern war, there is nothing sweet nor fitting in your dying. You will die like a dog for no good reason.
How come we can invent better ways to kill each other, but not one to preserve peace!

In a war, both sides genuinely believe that they are on the side of righteousness, yet no righteousness ever shows them the futility of the very war they are fighting. Because, both sides are driven by the instinctual force of nationalist patriotism. So, think of the countless wars that have caused gallons and gallons of bloodshed, all because warriors on both sides were incapable of reasoning due to the cognitive blindness caused by nationalism.

Its not gonna be easy

we should maintain our non-alignment policy, we cannot be operating a foreign policy that is easily influenced.

India is always neutral except when condemning Africa.

Africans are hypocrites

What was given to Libya for US invading them

Nigeria that calls itself Giant of Africa is the worst of them all

Maybe they are the giants of loan seeking

The only thing Libya got from Nigeria is accusing the Fulani herdsmen terrorising Nigeria to be displaced militias from Libya

This is slavery mentality and I kick against it

We are watching

Buhari government and follow follow

Smh

If North Korea is on Russia side, then we ve got problems.

when will this come to end

Why can't Buhari maintain neutrality like other African countries?

Nigerians await visas to Ukraine war
However, while the Nigerian government was making plans to evacuate over 5,000 of its citizens stranded in Ukraine, over 100 Nigerians are awaiting visas to travel from Nigeria to Ukraine to the war and fight against Russian belligerents having ed at the Ukrainian Embassy in Nigeria.

I don't blame them a bit cos they know what they are g up for, na conditions of Nigeria make crayfish bend

Because they have blue eyes and blond hairs. Are they the first country to experience crises? RACISM

H

The world is against any form of Hitler-like minded dictator and Putin will definitely be disappointed by the decision of the free world countries, Nigeria inclusive.

Ok

You call that crisis?

pyro62:
Because they have blue eyes and blond hairs. Are they the first country to experience crises? RACISM

It's an outright disregard for international laws and convention.

BUHARI TOOK THE RIGHT DECISION ON THIS ONE. I STAND WITH JUBRIL

Wawelexy:
If North Korea is on Russia side, then we ve got problems.

how do we have a problem. , abi na that 30 nuclear missiles they chack them

Wawelexy:
If North Korea is on Russia side, then we ve got problems.

What do you expect. China and other countries wey dey absent are lowkey with Russia.

bribery and corruption

Nigeria is supposed to remain neutral.

These our leaders no get sense.

posty56:
how do we have a problem. , abi na that 30 nuclear missiles they chack them

You can't be serious.

I hope this is not a ploy

JosephXavier:
Africans are hypocrites

What was given to Libya for US invading them

Nigeria that calls itself Giant of Africa is the worst of them all

Maybe they are the giants of loan seeking

The only thing Libya got from Nigeria is accusing the Fulani herdsmen terrorising Nigeria to be displaced militias from Libya

This is slavery mentality and I kick against it

your hatred against west don block to the small sense wey you get, all because you hate U.S, you theg insult your fellow country because of Russia wey no send you

I pity Buhari.
What's the meaning of this?
How much dem donate give Libya or Somalia during the war?
How much aid or money dem give Syria?
None, all this nonsense EU leaders think say dem wise, Putin don put dem for one chance

A country as big as India shouldn't be neutral in matters like this, South Africa should ditch that neutral nonsense like Nigeria if Africa must be taken seriously in international affairs. The world needs to know where we stand in critical matters like this.

SA is also being hypocritic here; they've been antagonising Israel over Palestine why not also voice out against Russia over this senseless invation of a sovereign country

tit:
bribery and corruption

Had they opposed it, you wouldn't still say anything better. What exactly do you want?

Hmmm... To me it's a welcome step as per the voting. Say no to tyranny. But hope the west will not abandon us when Putin, North Korea and China comes calling. As fit those volunteers, Omo it's a far better way to die o. People rather die in Ukraine than live here. And dying is not even guaranteed. There's a huge chance they'll make it and after that it's direct citizenship o. That is if Russia didn't win the war. Which ever way, this na direct ticket to japa from this country

Abeg me too wan fight for Ukraine, if I catch that boy called Putin, I go beat that Putin of boy and put him in a state of pity. I rest my case
Click like if you want to go to Ukraine and click share if you want to go to Russia.

posty56:
your hatred against west don block to the small sense wey you get, all because you hate U.S, you theg insult your fellow country because of Russia wey no send you

Oh please shut the fukk up

This is the end of Ajaokuta Steel Company