The Federal Government of Nigeria has revealed that the country has not severed relations with Russia over its invasion of Ukraine in February.
The Government of Nigeria further added that her relationships with Russia and with Ukraine have remained largely unshaken, despite the ongoing the war between the two EU countries.
The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Alhaji Zubairu Dada made this known in Abuja on Thursday while responding to questions from newsmen at the weekly ministerial briefing organised by the Presidential Communications Team.
Dada maintained that the ongoing war between the two neighbouring countries had not in any way reflected in Nigeria’s diplomatic ties with either of the two European countries.
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Confirming the assertion, Nigeria’s Permanent Representative at the UN, Prof. Tijjani Bande, stressed that the country had never at any point contemplated breaking diplomatic ties with Russia over her invasion of Ukraine.
‘Nigeria has not broken relations with Russia and there are several connections between Nigeria and Russia on many issues. Education is one. Nigeria is not at war with Russia.
‘Russia remains a member of the UN Security Council and a member of the UN; it is a significant player in world politics.
‘Who knows, next week there may be no problem between Russia and Ukraine and how do you start your relationship with Russia all over?
‘It is a balancing act. It is not like we have reached a point where Russia is so evil that Nigeria should not even relate with it; should not eat food produced in Russia, or we cannot take gas because it is Russian-produced.
‘Balance is fundamental in diplomacy and Nigeria has been very clear in its view that the attack by Russia on Ukraine was unacceptable.’ the statement read in part.
Africa Daily News, New York recalls that Russia had on February 24th invaded Ukraine which sparked the beginning of a war between both countries.
AFRICA DAILY NEWS, NEW YORK
