German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius is to travel to France for talks with his French counterpart Sébastien Lecornu on Wednesday evening, following Donald Trump’s victory in the US presidential election.

The talks are expected to focus on the consequences of Trump’s victory.

In particular for the future support for Ukraine, which has been fighting for more than two and a half years against Russia, as well as for European defence policy?

Washington has been a central provider of military support to Ukraine, which Trump has long criticized.

During his election campaign, Trump promised to end the war in Ukraine in a very short time and has held Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky jointly responsible for the war.

(dpa/NAN)

Congratulations for Donald Trump poured in early on Wednesday following his victory over challenger, Democrat’s Kamala Harris in the U.S. presidential polls.

“Ready to work together as we did for four years. With your convictions and mine, with respect and ambition.

“For more peace and prosperity, French President“, Emmanuel Macron, wrote on social media platform X.

“Congratulations to Donald Trump on his election victory, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky wrote on the platform X.

“I appreciate President Trump’s commitment to the ‘peace through strength’ approach in global affairs,” he added.

“This is exactly the principle that can practically bring just peace in Ukraine closer.

I am hopeful that we will put it into action together,” Zelensky wrote.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz also added his congratulations.

“For a long time, Germany and the U.S. have been working together successfully promoting prosperity and freedom on both sides of the Atlantic.

“We will continue to do so for the wellbeing of our citizens,” the chancellor wrote on X.

Earlier, Scholz and French President Emmanuel Macron spoke by phone about the election outcome.

A German government spokesman said the two European leaders had agreed to coordinate closely with each other.

“We will work in this new context for a more united, stronger, more sovereign Europe.

“In cooperation with the U.S. and defending our interests and values,’’ Macron wrote on X after the conversation.

The mood was ebullient out of Moscow, which has led a full-scale war against Ukraine for more than two and a half years, with no end in sight.

“Hallelujah, wrote Maria Zakharova, a spokeswoman for the Russian Foreign Ministry, on her Telegram channel, noting that the election winner was the one who loved his own country.

Former Russian president Dmitry Medvedev, who now sits on the Russian Security Council, said Trump has an important quality for Russia.

“As a businessman to the core, he cannot stand spending money on various minions and lackeys on idiotic allies, on stupid charity projects and on gluttonous international organisations.’’

He said it was a sad day for the scum in Kiev, in a post on Telegram.

Newly appointed NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, whose alliance has a key role in the war on Ukraine, congratulated Trump on X.

“His leadership will again be key to keeping our Alliance strong,’’ Rutte added.

The conservative broadcaster Fox News had already declared Republican candidate Trump the overall winner against Democrat Kamala Harris, but other media networks and U.S. news agency AP had not done so.

Trump declared himself the winner in a speech to supporters in Florida.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz added his congratulations.

“For a long time, Germany and the U.S. have been working together successfully promoting prosperity and freedom on both sides of the Atlantic.

“We will continue to do so for the wellbeing of our citizens,” the chancellor wrote on X.

Earlier, Scholz and French President Emmanuel Macron spoke by phone about the election outcome.

A German government spokesman said the two European leaders had agreed to coordinate closely with each other.

“We will work in this new context for a more united, stronger, more sovereign Europe.

In cooperation with the U.S. and defending our interests and values,’’ Macron wrote on X after the conversation.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said she looked forward to working with the presumptive 47th president of the U.S. on a strong trans-Atlantic agenda that delivers for their people.

Von der Leyen said the European Union and the United States “are more than just allies,” bound by a “shared history, commitment to freedom and democracy, and common goals of security and opportunity for all.”

“Millions of jobs and billions in trade and investment on each side of the Atlantic depend on the dynamism and stability of our economic relationship,” she added.

Outgoing European Council President Charles Michel, meanwhile, said the EU looked forward to cooperating constructively with the US, while “defending the rules-based multilateral system.”

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the UK-US special relationship would “continue to prosper” following Donald Trump’s “historic election victory,” the PA news agency reported.

Congratulations also came from Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, who said the strategic connections between their two countries would now become even stronger.

“Good luck with your work, president!” the far-right prime minister added.

“Congratulations, Mr President … You made it happen!” Poland’s conservative nationalist president, Andrzej Duda, posted on X.

Dutch right-wing populist politician Geert Wilders, a declared Trump supporter who won the election in the Netherlands almost a year ago, joined in the chorus.

“Congratulations America! Never stop, always keep fighting and win elections!” Wilders wrote on X before the official result was announced.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said it was “history’s greatest comeback.”

“Your historic return to the White House offers a new beginning for America and a powerful recommitment to the great alliance between Israel and America.”

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said his “friend” Donald Trump had won the presidential election after a “great struggle.”

China, meanwhile, was more cautious in its response. Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said the election was a domestic affair that Beijing would handle as usual once the results are officially announced. (dpa/NAN)

A Social Cultural organisation, Shangev-Tiev Assembly (STA) has urged Gov. Hycinth Alia of  Benue  to constitute a judicial commission of inquiry into  the ongoing Bonta and Ukpute crisis.

The group, who made the call on Wednesday in Makurdi at a news conference, said only a true commission of inquiry can reveal the truth and provide solutions to the crisis.

Mr Peter Vande,   Spokesman of the group, said the crisis which started in 1997, has so far claimed several lives and destroyed property worth millions.

He said the latest was the recent killing of six students of the College of Education, Oju.

Vande called on Alia to temporarily close the school for the safety of innocent students.

“We are deeply saddened by the persistent crises between the Bonta community of Shangev-Tiev and the Igede of Ukpute Community in which many people have lost their lives and property worth millions of Naira.

 “He should also institute a Judicial Commission of Inquiry to investigate and recommend appropriate sanction to the government,” he said.

Vande said before 1997, the Igede and Tiv communities lived together in peace and harmony.

He acknowledged the efforts of the governor through his deputy to initiate the boundary reestablishment project that would permanently end the crisis.

“We, hereby, appeal that this exercise be speedily executed to restore peace,“he said.

The spokesman alleged that  the Ukpute community, through the Igede Youth Council, had accused the governor of bias instead of supporting his peace initiatives.

He appealed to the Federal, State and Local Governments as well as NGOs, donors and humanitarian agencies around the world to aid the displaced Bonta people.

“We humbly appeal to SEMA, NEMA, and international NGOs to recognise the scale of this crisis and to provide urgent assistance to those affected.

“Bonta families are in dire need of food, shelter, and security, as the continued aggression has left many struggling to survive.

“The humanitarian needs are severe and pressing, requiring coordinated aid to prevent further suffering and starvation,” he said (NAN)