A Nigerian Policy think-tank ,the Institute of international Affairs has encouraged both Ukraine and Russia to maintain fairness and justice in the conduct of the war as well managing international pressure while seeking resolution of the crisis.
A former Director General of the Nigeria Institute of International Affairs, Professor Bola Akinterinwa, said during the seminar held on Russia-Ukraine War and the Imperatives of a New Global Order’.
According to Professor, “Both Russia and Ukraine need to seek the protection of their national interest without any influence of the West.
“Mutual protection of one’s interest is what should be considered at this stage of the crisis. Russia, considered her security reasons and do not want NATO to extend its influence closer to Ukraine, which is part of Russia in a way, may admit Ukraine into its security alliance.”
Similarly, Professor Femi Otubanjo, Professor of Comparative Politics International Relations, Federal University, Oye, Ekiti State believes that, it is the national security interest of Russia that led to the war between the two countries, urging Ukraine not to join NATO.
Division of International Law and Organisation, NIIA, Dr Rita Agu in her own view of the war was against Russia’s invasion of Ukraine by using force instead of dialogue.
Russia insists that there is no need of an assurance that Ukraine will not be part of NATO, and that it should be a neutral country. Invariably, Ukraine should not opt for an alliance as such is the only way out of the present war.
Professor Bola Akinterinwa urged both Ukraine and Russia to maintain fairness and justice as well as management of international pressure while seeking to resolve their differences.
Meanwhile, the much-publicized return of trapped Nigerians from the Russian-Ukraine was due for Monday, as the evacuation could not take place because the evacuation was rescheduled by the Polish authority.
One of the Airlines sent to evacuate the Nigerians said they could not board the returnees yesterday, the Polish authority yesterday rescheduled the release of Nigerians.
