Pope Urges Russia to Embrace Peace in Phone Call with Patriarch Kirill

In a significant diplomatic gesture, Pope Leo held a phone conversation with Russian Orthodox Patriarch Kirill, during which he appealed for a meaningful gesture from Russia to help advance peace in Ukraine. The call, which addressed various mutual concerns, focused especially on the ongoing conflict and the importance of dialogue in resolving it. The Pope emphasized the critical role of open communication between all parties involved in the war, urging that dialogue must remain a cornerstone of peace efforts. He highlighted the deteriorating humanitarian conditions in affected areas and stressed the urgency of delivering aid to those most in need. He also acknowledged the ongoing efforts to facilitate prisoner exchanges, commending the mediation role played by Cardinal Matteo Zuppi. During the conversation, Pope Leo expressed appreciation for the well-wishes he received from Patriarch Kirill at the beginning of his pontificate. He reiterated that shared Christian values—such as the defense of life, promotion of peace, and pursuit of genuine religious freedom—can serve as moral beacons during times of global crisis. The Vatican sees the dialogue as part of its broader peace mission, underscoring the Holy See’s commitment to humanitarian diplomacy. As the war in Ukraine grinds on with no clear end in sight, Pope Leo’s latest outreach represents a continued effort by the Catholic Church to act as a bridge-builder in one of the most divisive global conflicts of the 21st century.

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Int’l Friendly: Injuries, Withdrawals Alter Chelle’s Army to Face Russia

A number of withdrawals and injuries to some players have combined to alter the list of players who will appear for Nigeria in Friday’s international friendly match in Moscow, from the original list drawn up by Super Eagles’ Head Coach Eric Chelle. The goalkeeping sector is unaffected as first choice Stanley Nwabali was not listed for the trip in the first place, as a result of the upcoming burial rites for his late parents. Italy-based Maduka Okoye and Tanzania-based Amas Obasogie will still fight for the goal-tender’s starting shirt. In the rearguard, captain William Ekong is in Moscow alongside Bright Osayi-Samuel, joining the Unity Cup trio of Bruno Onyemaechi, Semi Ajayi and Igoh Ogbu. However, Nottingham Forest’s Ola Aina excused himself from the friendly, and Coach Chelle has had to draft in the Unity Cup duo of Sodiq Ismaila and Benjamin Fredericks. Former junior international Fredericks impressed on his debut against Jamaica on Saturday. In the midfield, injury to Wilfred Ndidi has handed Enugu Rangers’ ace Saviour Isaac the opportunity to shine. Isaac is a key member of the Eagles B, which will participate in the African Nations Championship finals in August. He will join Frank Onyeka, Raphael Onyedika, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, Christantus Uche and Papa Daniel Mustapha to fight for shirts in the middle of the pack. At the fore, Unity Cup ace Samuel Chukwueze, and Kelechi Iheanacho, have excused themselves to attend to family matters, while Spain-based Sadiq Umar has suffered an injury. Nathan Tella’s United Kingdom passport is undergoing a renewal process, so he is unable to travel. This situation has left Chelle with only Victor Boniface, Simon Moses and Tolu Arokodare in the attack, and he has had to call up Russia-based former junior international Olakunle Olusegun, who plays for Krasnodar FC. The team, which arrived in Moscow on Monday, will begin training sessions on Tuesday. The match will take place at the 78,000-capacity Luzhniki Stadium, which is the largest football stadium in Russia and the ninth-largest in the whole of Europe. SUPER EAGLES FOR RUSSIA FRIENDLY: Goalkeepers: Maduka Okoye (Udinese FC, Italy); Amas Obasogie (Singida Blackstars, Tanzania) Defenders: William Ekong (Al-Kholood FC, Saudi Arabia); Bright Osayi-Samuel (Fenerbahce SK, Turkey); Bruno Onyemaechi (Olympiacos FC, Greece); Oluwasemilogo Ajayi (West Bromwich Albion, England); Igoh Ogbu (SK Slavia Prague, Czech Republic); Sodiq Ismaila (Remo Stars); Benjamin Fredericks (Brentford FC, England) Midfielders: Frank Onyeka (Augsburg FC, Germany); Raphael Onyedika (Club Brugge, Belgium); Fisayo Dele-Bashiru (Lazio FC, Italy); Chrisantus Uche (Getafe CF, Spain); Papa Daniel Mustapha (Niger Tornadoes); Saviour Isaac (Enugu Rangers) Forwards: Victor Boniface (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany); Simon Moses (FC Nantes, France); Tolu Arokodare (KRC Genk, Belgium); Olakunle Olusegun (Krasnodar FC, Russia)

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Russia Rejects Ukraine’s Call for 30-Day Truce Calls It Manipulation

Russia Rejects Ukraine’s Call for 30-Day Truce Calls It Manipulation

Russia has rejected Ukraine’s call to extend a brief three-day ceasefire into a longer 30-day truce, deepening tensions as international pressure mounts for a negotiated end to the war. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov confirmed on Tuesday that Moscow had received Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s proposal but said a long-term ceasefire would be “difficult” without resolving several outstanding issues. The brief ceasefire, announced by President Vladimir Putin from May 8 to 10, was timed to coincide with Russia’s Victory Day celebrations. Zelenskyy dismissed the move as a “manipulation” and questioned Moscow’s refusal to agree to a broader, more meaningful cessation of hostilities. He urged that any ceasefire should begin immediately and last at least 30 days to allow for meaningful de-escalation. In response, Peskov accused Zelenskyy of politicizing the situation, claiming that Ukraine’s lack of direct engagement with the proposed three-day pause showed bad faith. He characterized the Russian proposal as a “gesture of goodwill” and said Kyiv’s reaction was itself an act of manipulation. Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump has grown increasingly frustrated with the lack of progress, telling Putin over the weekend to “stop shooting” and finalize a deal. Washington previously pushed for a 30-day ceasefire, which Russia rejected unless Ukraine agreed not to regroup or receive weapons during the pause—conditions Kyiv refused. Zelenskyy reaffirmed Ukraine’s support for an unconditional, full ceasefire, stressing the need for security and enforcement mechanisms.

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Russia Praises Nigerian Government for Support on UN Resolution

​Russia has expressed gratitude to Nigeria for its support in the United Nations’ adoption of a resolution aimed at combating the glorification of Nazism. This acknowledgment was made by Andrey Podyolyshev, the Russian Federation’s Ambassador to Nigeria, during a photo exhibition in Abuja commemorating the Soviet Union’s victory in the Great Patriotic War. The exhibition, marking the 80th anniversary of the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany, served as a platform to remember the victims of World War II and to raise awareness about the dangers associated with the glorification of Nazism. Ambassador Podyolyshev highlighted Nigeria’s vote in favor of the resolution during the 79th session of the UN General Assembly, which aims to combat practices contributing to contemporary forms of racism, discrimination, xenophobia, and intolerance He emphasized the importance of continued collaboration between Russia and Nigeria on international matters, particularly within the United Nations framework. Additionally, Podyolyshev noted Nigeria’s recent partnership with BRICS, expressing optimism about the potential for further cooperation. The ambassador reiterated Russia’s commitment to a multipolar world, advocating for close cooperation among nations to address global challenges such as economic crises and insecurity. He also acknowledged Africa, especially Nigeria, as a significant player in Russia’s foreign policy, underscoring the importance of African nations’ cooperation as a priority. ​Peoples Gazette Nigeria The Great Patriotic War, spanning from 1941 to 1945, was instrumental in the establishment of the United Nations, with the USSR playing a pivotal role in shaping the global system to prevent future conflicts. The aim was to create a framework that would protect the dignity of nations and ensure global peace, laying the foundation for international cooperation in the years to come.

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Vladimir Stop Trump Slams Russia Over Continued Strikes on Ukraine

Vladimir Stop Trump Slams Russia Over Continued Strikes on Ukraine

Former U.S. President Donald Trump has strongly criticized Russia’s ongoing military strikes on Ukraine, calling on President Vladimir Putin to end the aggression immediately. Trump’s remarks came during a rally in Ohio on Tuesday, where he addressed a wide range of foreign policy issues, including the ongoing war in Eastern Europe. Vladimir, stop! The world has seen enough bloodshed. What’s happening in Ukraine is unacceptable,” Trump said to a cheering crowd. He went on to describe the escalating conflict as a humanitarian disaster that “could have been avoided” with stronger leadership and diplomatic pressure. Trump, who has long touted his relationship with global leaders during his time in office, claimed that such a war would not have broken out under his administration. “When I was president, Russia knew its limits. They didn’t cross that line. We had peace through strength,” he added, reiterating his belief that his foreign policy approach kept global tensions in check. The former president’s comments mark a rare and direct condemnation of the Kremlin’s actions, as Trump has previously faced criticism for appearing too lenient toward Putin. However, Tuesday’s remarks signal a shift in tone, with Trump expressing deep concern for the Ukrainian people and the broader implications of continued Russian aggression. Meanwhile, the White House has yet to respond to Trump’s statement, but officials continue to affirm U.S. support for Ukraine. As the war enters another difficult phase, with mounting civilian casualties and infrastructure damage, international calls for a ceasefire are growing louder — and Trump’s voice has now joined that chorus.

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US-Russia Talks On Ukraine Begin In Saudi Arabia

US-Russia Talks On Ukraine Begin In Saudi Arabia

US and Russian officials opened talks in Saudi Arabia on Monday on a partial ceasefire in the Ukraine war, a day after delegates from Washington and Kyiv had their own discussions. US President Donald Trump is pushing for a rapid end to the three-year war and hopes talks in Riyadh could pave the way for a breakthrough. Both sides have proposed different plans for temporary ceasefires, but cross-border attacks have meanwhile continued unabated. Originally planned to take place simultaneously to enable shuttle diplomacy — with the United States going back and forth between the delegations — the talks are now taking place one after the other. Russia’s TASS news agency said at around 0730 GMT that the US-Russian talks had begun. The meeting between the Ukrainian team, led by defence minister Rustem Umerov, and the Americans finished up late Sunday night. “The discussion was productive and focused — we addressed key points including energy,” Umerov said on social media, adding Ukraine was working to make its goal of a “just and lasting peace” a reality. Valentyna Guk searches for pieces of glass for mosaic fragments among debris of a heavily damaged building in Kharkiv on March 7, 2025, amid the Russia invasion of Ukraine. (Photo by Ivan SAMOILOV / AFP)Trump envoy Steve Witkoff voiced optimism that any agreement struck would pave the way for a “full-on” ceasefire. “I think you’re going to see in Saudi Arabia on Monday some real progress, particularly as it affects a Black Sea ceasefire on ships between both countries. And from that you’ll naturally gravitate to a full-on shooting ceasefire,” he told Fox News. But the Kremlin on Sunday downplayed expectations of a rapid resolution. “We are only at the beginning of this path,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told Russian state TV. He said there were many outstanding questions over how a potential ceasefire might be implemented. Russian President Vladimir Putin has rejected a joint US-Ukrainian call for a full and immediate 30-day pause, proposing instead a halt in attacks only on energy facilities. Local resident walk among the debris near a damaged house, a day after a Russian strike on a suburb of Odesa, southern Ukraine on March 7, 2025, amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine. (Photo by Oleksandr GIMANOV / AFP) Peskov said the “main” focus in its talks with the United States would be a possible resumption of a 2022 Black Sea grain deal that ensured safe navigation for Ukrainian farm exports via the Black Sea. “On Monday, we mainly intend to discuss President Putin’s agreement to resume the so-called Black Sea initiative, and our negotiators will be ready to discuss the nuances around this problem,” Peskov said. Moscow pulled out of the deal — brokered by Turkey and the United Nations — in 2023, accusing the West of failing to uphold its commitments to ease sanctions on Russia’s own exports of farm produce and fertilisers. A senior Ukrainian official previously told AFP that Kyiv would propose a broader ceasefire, covering attacks on energy facilities, infrastructure and naval strikes. Both sides launched fresh drone attacks on the eve of the negotiations. Ukrainian officials said a Russian drone attack overnight Saturday killed three civilians in Kyiv, including a five-year-old girl and her father. AFP reporters in the capital saw emergency workers treating the wounded early Sunday in front of damaged residential buildings hit in the strike. Deadly strikes on the well-protected city are rarer than elsewhere in the country. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky urged his country’s allies to put fresh pressure on Russia. “New decisions and new pressure on Moscow are needed to bring an end to these strikes and this war,” he posted on social media on Sunday. Moscow heads into the Saudi talks after a rapprochement with Washington under Trump that has boosted confidence in the Kremlin. Peskov said Sunday that the “potential for mutually beneficial cooperation in a wide variety of spheres between our countries cannot be overstated”. “We may disagree on some things but that does not mean we should deprive ourselves of mutual benefit,” he added.

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