The Federal Government has demanded that Russia withdraw its soldiers from Ukraine and cease its attack against the nation.
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffery Onyeama, made the appeal on behalf of the Federal Government of Nigeria when he met with envoys from the G7 countries in Nigeria today, February 25.
Onyeama voiced concern over the Russian-Ukraine crisis and called for peace to resolve the conflict. He stated that Nigeria does not condone Russia's aggressive stance and urged Russia to back off.
“Peace and diplomacy to be prioritised by both sides. We support every effort being made to stop the aggression and Russian troops to return to Russia,” Onyeama said.
After the closed-door discussion, German Ambassador to Nigeria, Birgitt Ory, who is also the head of the G7 Group, spoke to press and appreciated the African Union's statement on the situation. Nigeria is a very significant voice that the world needs to hear, according to the German envoy, who praised Nigeria for throwing its weight behind it.
Other envoys attending the conference are Mary Beth Leonard, the US Ambassador to Nigeria; Catriona Laing, the British High Commissioner to Nigeria; and Samuela Isopi, the Head of the European Union Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS. Representatives from Japan's and Canada's embassies were present.