Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has called for the inclusion of the United States and Europe in any negotiations aimed at ending the war with Russia. Addressing a press conference alongside Moldovan President Maia Sandu, Zelenskiy insisted that Ukraine’s involvement is critical for meaningful peace talks.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!“As for the structure of the talks, I truly hope Ukraine, alongside America, Europe, and Russia, will participate,” he said, while clarifying that no formal process for discussions has been established yet.
Zelenskiy acknowledged the potential role of U.S. President Donald Trump, who previously claimed he could end the war within 24 hours of taking office. However, Zelenskiy stressed that this is only possible if Ukraine plays an active role, adding, “Russia does not want to end the war, while Ukraine does.”
Russia’s President Vladimir Putin has expressed interest in discussing Ukraine with Trump but cited Zelenskiy’s 2022 decree banning talks with him as an obstacle. Zelenskiy defended the ban, stating it was necessary to prevent Russia from exploiting internal divisions in Ukraine.
Energy Crisis in Moldova Reflects Russia’s Broader Strategy
As Russia’s influence extends beyond the battlefield, Moldova has become the latest victim of Moscow’s calculated energy manipulation. Zelenskiy offered Ukrainian coal to help Moldova mitigate its energy crisis, which has been exacerbated by halted Russian gas supplies.
“The absence of a crisis in Moldova is also key to Ukraine’s security,” Zelenskiy said, offering to supply coal to stabilize energy prices in Moldova and its separatist region, Transdniestria. The pro-Russian enclave has faced severe power shortages, with daily blackouts lasting five hours and heating cuts in freezing conditions.
Moldovan President Sandu accused Russia of deliberately engineering the crisis to destabilize the country ahead of parliamentary elections, describing it as part of Moscow’s long-term strategy to install a pro-Russian government.
For Nigerians, the parallels between these events and Africa’s experiences with external interference in domestic affairs are striking. Much like the way European powers historically exploited Africa’s resources to maintain control, Russia’s approach in Ukraine and Moldova reflects a similar playbook of destabilization for dominance.
This crisis also highlights the importance of regional cooperation to resist external influence—a lesson Nigeria has championed within ECOWAS. As Moldova faces destabilization and Ukraine battles for its sovereignty, their struggles serve as a reminder of the significance of unity in the face of foreign aggression.
Reflection for Nigeria
Nigeria’s energy and security challenges underscore the importance of self-reliance and strategic partnerships. As Ukraine and Moldova demonstrate resilience under pressure, Nigeria could draw lessons on leveraging its resources—whether energy or human capital—for regional stability and global influence.
