"First and foremost, abstain from voting for Russia in any UN resolution; halt all engagement with Russia. When asked what Nigeria and other nations might do to end the war, Soltys responded, "You know, the world should boycott Russia to signal that it disapproves of Russia's aggressiveness against Ukraine.
Nigeria, the largest economy in Africa, has not thought about cutting off trade with Russia, a significant economic partner for the West African country.
"First and foremost, abstain from voting for Russia in any UN resolution; halt all engagement with Russia. When asked what Nigeria and other nations might do to end the war, Soltys responded, "You know, the world should boycott Russia to signal that it disapproves of Russia's aggressiveness against Ukraine.
Nigeria, the largest economy in Africa, has not thought about cutting off trade with Russia, a significant economic partner for the West African country.
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Nigeria's imports from Ukraine, in contrast, reached $604.29 million in 2021, or approximately 25% of its imports from Russia. Cereals accounted for $491.90 million of the total imports, followed by iron and steel ($90.73 million), milling goods, malt, starches, and wheat gluten ($5.62 million), among other items.
In addition, Ukraine imported 8.41 million dollars from Nigeria. Mineral fuels, oils, and distillation products made up the bulk of the items ($3.82 million), along with plastics ($2.23 million), oilseeds, oily fruits, cereals, seeds, and fruits ($1.20 million), and others.
Nigeria has voiced its displeasure with Russia's invasion of Ukraine, although having no plans to boycott it.
Nigeria voted against Russia's invasion of Ukraine in the first UN General Assembly resolution following that invasion in February. On the succeeding vote, however, that tried to indefinitely suspend Russia from the UN Human Rights Council, Putin chose to abstain.
The US ambassador to the UN, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, made the request for Russia's suspension.
Russia has warned nations at the UN that supporting or abstaining from the US-led effort to suspend the nation from the Human Rights Council would be viewed as a "hostile gesture," which would have an impact on bilateral relations.
The majority of African nations, including Nigeria, boycotted despite the Russian threat.
The war in Ukraine creates a terrible precedent that nations might attack others and get away with it, Soltys noted in the interview with PREMIUM TIMES, despite the fact that it would be difficult for nations to boycott Russia.
Although nothing in life is simple, this battle sets a very hazardous precedent, as I said. Who would be the next victim, and for whom, if Russia gets away with it in Ukraine? Nigeria might also become a victim, she warned.
Since the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, Nigeria and other African nations' activities have been seen as signs of neutrality.
This neutrality, in Soltys' opinion, justifies evil.
He added, "I think neutrality means condoning evil. "Many African countries convey their positions in this way. In other words, if you don't criticize evil and don't name black what it is, you set a very bad example because you never know when another nation would decide to attack Nigeria as well and everyone would just shut their eyes and claim that we are neutral. also, we favor peace.
But he added that because both regions have a lot to offer one another, Africa's neutrality won't harm relations between Ukraine and Africa.
After the war, Soltys said, "I believe we will be able to maintain our mutually beneficial relationship."
