Trump hints US could back European security guarantees after Zelenskyy meeting

Donald Trump has said that the US could aid European security guarantees as he met Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the White House.

He later said that Russian President Vladimir Putin had accepted security guarantees for Ukraine.

Trump also said they would discuss "the possible exchanges of territory", before abruptly appearing to change his position on a ceasefire saying: "all of us would prefer an immediate ceasefire while we work on a lasting peace."

Trump sat down with Zelenskyy in the Oval Office, before meeting with European leaders, including Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, President Macron of France and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz.

The Oval Office meeting was much more cordial than their infamous meeting in February, in which Trump berated Zelenskyy in front of the world's media.

Trump said there was a “good chance” of ending the war through these meetings.

“I know the president, I know myself, and I believe Vladimir Putin wants to see it end,” Trump said.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy's meeting with Donald Trump was much less fractious than their last encounter in the Oval Office. Credit: AP

"If everything works out today, we'll have a trilat," Trump said, referring to possible trilateral talks among Zelenskyy, Putin and Trump. "We're going to work with Russia, we're going to work with Ukraine."

Zelenskyy also expressed openness to trilateral talks.

"We are ready for trilateral as the president said," Zelenskyy said. "It's a good signal about trilateral. I think this is very good."

Trump also hinted that the US could join Europe in providing security guarantees to Ukraine, although he did not give any details on what that would entail.

"They want to give protection," Trump said of European allies. "They feel very strongly about it and we'll help them out with it. I think it's very important."

Trump stopped short of committing U.S. troops to the effort, saying instead that details would be hashed out in their afternoon meeting with EU leaders.

European leaders have joined President Zelenskyy and President Trump for talks on Ukraine Credit: AP

Also in Washington are Sir Keir Starmer, France’s Emmanuel Macron, Germany’s Friedrich Merz, Italy’s Giorgia Meloni, and Alexander Stubb, president of Finland.

Nato Chief Mark Rutte and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen are also attending.

Sitting in the East Room, Trump recognised all of those around the table, with each leader taking the opportunity to speak. The President also appeared to change his mind on a ceasefire, saying: "all of us would obviously prefer the immediate ceasefire while we work on a lasting peace.”He added that he likes a ceasefire because it would “immediately stop the killing,” but reiterated that a peace agreement between the two countries is “very attainable” at this point in the war.The German chancellor said he would “like to see a ceasefire from the next meeting, which should be a trilateral meeting” with Ukraine, Russia and the US. He praised Trump for his efforts to help work out an ending to the war.

Earlier, Trump said on his Truth Social platform that Zelenskyy "can end the war with Russia almost immediately, if he wants to, or he can continue to fight."

He added there would be "no going into Nato by Ukraine" and "no getting back" of Crimea, which Russia illegally annexed from Ukraine in 2014.

The US president appeared excited for Monday's meeting, adding "big day at the White House tomorrow. Never had so many European Leaders at one time. My great honour to host them!!!"

Zelenskyy appeared to respond to Trump, saying: "Peace must be lasting. Not like it was years ago, when Ukraine was forced to give up Crimea and part of our East—part of Donbas—and Putin simply used it as a springboard for a new attack," he added.

Donetsk and Luhansk, two mineral-rich regions of Ukraine that are mostly occupied by Russian forces, could be the proposed price for peace.

In exchange, the Russian president would reportedly withdraw his forces from other areas of Ukraine and accept a Nato-like security guarantee that Ukraine would be protected from further incursion.

By arriving as a group, leaders hope to avoid any debacles like 

Zelenskyy's February meeting with Trump, where the Ukrainian president left early after being chastised by Trump  and his Vice-President JD Vance in front of the press.

The public spat, which saw Vance accuse Zelenskyy of not being thankful enough to the US, resulted in American aid to Ukraine being temporarily halted.

The European leaders will also push to protect Ukraine from having to submit to Russian land grabs as a price for peace.

The European leaders have said it is up to Ukraine to decide how it wishes to end the war, and hailed Zelenskyy’s commitment to a peace.

US President Donald Trump appeared to drop calls for a ceasefire following a summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska. Credit: AP

Trump has appeared to drop his calls for a ceasefire after his summit in Alaska with the Russian President.

Putin has long refused to agree to a ceasefire as a precondition for talks to end the war, prompting fears that Russia could continue gaining ground in Ukraine as negotiations take place.

The US president has instead said he wants to focus on a long-term peace deal, though his secretary of state Marco Rubio has signalled a deal is “still a long way off”.

There will be “additional consequences” for Russia if it does not agree to a peace deal, Mr Rubio added, though he suggested fresh financial sanctions would be unlikely to force Putin to the negotiating table.

Zelenskyy, however, had indicated that a ceasefire is his preference, telling reporters on Sunday "it’s impossible to do this under the pressure of weapons. So it’s necessary to cease fire and work quickly on a final deal."

Scores of Transport for London staff face deportation under new UK visa rules

Scores of foreign Transport for London (TfL) staff could be deported because of rule changes which mean they no longer qualify for visa sponsorship.

More than 60 employees who came to the UK on skilled worker visas may have to leave because salary thresholds have gone up and key transport roles have been taken off the eligible list.

TfL said it was "working with all colleagues affected by the changes... to understand whether they have other routes to work in the UK available to them and to support them where possible".

Some London Assembly members called the move "unfair and short-sighted", but the Home Office said its immigration white paper, external was designed to "restore order" to immigration.

It added: "Under this approach, every sector will be required to implement a workforce strategy focused on training British workers, or risk losing access to the immigration system, as part of wider efforts to reinforce the integrity of the points-based system and end dependence on lower-skilled international recruitment."

TfL is obliged to comply with the changes, which took effect on 22 July and will remain until at least the end of 2026.

It is believed many of the workers took jobs on two-year graduate visa schemes thinking they could later move into skilled worker positions, according to the RMT union.

The transport body currently pays a £31,000 starting salary for graduates and advises candidates who need sponsorship to see if they can get this before applying.

Trainee station staff are believed to earn between £35,300 and £41,800, the latter of which is only £100 above the new £41,700 per year minimum salary threshold.

RMT general secretary, Eddie Dempsey, said: "Our members took these jobs in good faith, on the understanding that they could progress and continue building their futures here.

"Now the new government rules risk shattering these workers' lives and leaving gaps in employment for London Underground."

Image caption,

The Home Office has been urged to reverse the "unfair and short-sighted" changes

According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, an anonymous at-risk employee said they just wanted a fair chance to work and loved their job.

They added: "What did I do wrong? What did any of my 60 colleagues facing the same fate, do wrong? I have seen them go above and beyond their normal work duties, even preventing vulnerable members of the travelling public from committing suicide on the network.

"Getting the news that my job was now not on a list which would make me eligible to stay in the country, has taken an enormous toll on me and my family. It was like a nuclear bomb going off in our household."

The leader of London Assembly's Liberal Democrat group, Hina Bokhari, said: "Deporting vital Tube staff because of sudden last-minute rule changes is unfair and short-sighted.

"London relies on the skills and commitment of these people."

Green Party Assembly member Caroline Russell said: "The government should withdraw these cruel changes that are going to ruin lives by sending away the workers London depends upon."

US demands $15,000 deposit for visa applicants from two African countries

The US will require citizens from Malawi and Zambia to pay a $15,000 (£11,300) deposit for a tourist or business visa, according to the US state department.

The 12-month pilot programme aims to curb visa overstays "or where screening and vetting information is considered deficient, external", according to a notice published by the state department.

Officials say that citizens of countries other than Malawi and Zambia may soon also need to pay a similar deposit, which will be returned at the end of their visit to the US.

The US administration has taken several steps to further President Donald Trump's agenda of stemming illegal immigration.

Trump signed an executive order on the first day of his second term to this effect.

The state department notice, published on Tuesday, says: "Aliens applying for visas as temporary visitors for business or pleasure (B-1/B-2) and who are nationals of countries identified by the Department as having high visa overstay rates, where screening and vetting information is deemed deficient, or offering Citizenship by Investment, if the alien obtained citizenship with no residency requirement, may be subject to the pilot program.

"Consular officers may require covered non-immigrant visa applicants to post a bond of up to $15,000 as a condition of visa issuance, as determined by the consular officers."

Figures published in 2023 by the US Department of Homeland Security, external show that about 14% of visitors from Malawi overstay their visas, compared to 11% of Zambian visitors.

Other countries with high overstay rates include Haiti (31%), Myanmar (27%) and Yemen (20%).

Zambia Foreign Minister Mulambo Haimbe told the BBC that the government was "engaging our counterparts to get a full understanding of the implications and what can be done, if anything, to address the underlying issues".

Since coming to office in January, Trump has signed orders to roll back humanitarian programmes for migrants from certain countries who are already in the US.

The Republican president has also banned foreign nationals from 12 countries from travelling to the US, and imposed partial restrictions on another seven.

His administration has revoked visas for hundreds of international students and detained several others on college campuses across the US, often without any warning or recourse for appeals.

The state department has said it is targeting those who were involved in activities that "run counter" to US national interests.

Many of those targeted have participated in some form of pro-Palestinian activity.

But there have been other cases where cancellations appear to be connected to those with some sort of criminal record, or legal infractions like driving over the speed limit, immigration lawyers have said.

Additional reporting by Shingai Nyoka

Team Adebayo Adelabu-In-Diaspora Converges in UK, Solicits Support Ahead 2027 Election

.

A collective of professionals, technocrats, entrepreneurs and businessmen, operating under the banner of Team Adebayo Adelabu-In-Diaspora  comprising associates and colleagues of the Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu has assembled in Manchester City, United Kingdom 

The objective is to consolidate strategies to ensure Chief Adelabu becomes the All Progressives Congress (APC) flagbearer in Oyo State and secures victory in the 2027 gubernatorial election.

Under the leadership of Chief Coordinator Otunba Bushie Ferrari, the team is actively canvassing support across Europe to favor the Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, in his upcoming electoral pursuit in 2027.

Members of the team, who addressed the gathering in turn, praised Chief Adelabu’s contributions and achievements within the power sector, asserting that electricity supply in Nigeria has markedly improved.

The group urged the residents of Oyo State across political divides to place their confidence in Chief Adelabu, emphasizing that he is the sole gubernatorial candidate with extensive experience who comprehends the political landscape and the aspirations of the state’s populace, and he is committed to advancing Oyo's social-economic progress.

Team Adebayo Adelabu-In-Diaspora elaborated that  Mr. Adelab is a reliable figure with proven integrity who will not diminish the morale of the people of Oyo State.

"He is committed to ensuring fair distribution of the state’s resources and promoting grassroots development, which has previously suffered from neglect" Otunba Bushie Ferrari emphasised 

The group highlighted their intention to deploy all available resources, both domestic and international, to guarantee the success of the Minister of Power’s ambition in the 2027 general election.

Articulating the resolve of Team Adebayo Adelabu-In-Diaspora, Otunba Ferrari assured that the group is strategically positioned and possesses the necessary capabilities to secure Chief Adelabu’s victory in 2027.

The Director, Mobilisation and Strategic Planning, Friend of Bayo Adelabu in Diaspora, Mr Rasheed Kunle Alatise further stated that the team is mobilizing efforts across Europe in support of Chief Adebayo Adelabu and is resolute in deploying all necessary mechanisms to achieve its objectives and accomplishments.

Earlier in an address, the Chief Host, and also the Co-ordinator Team Adebayo Adelabu in London and Europe, Mr. Bayo Animasaun thanked the members for coming down to Manchester and affirmed the determination of the team to succeed.

Others who also graced the gathering are: Mr. Adeyemi Adekunle, Mr. Oluwadamilare Sowunmi, Mr Wole Ogunkeyede,  Prince Frederick Ademola, Dr Vincent Ajayi, Mr Hassan Kuku Segun, Mr. Collins Sanyaolu.

Others include Mr Femi Adimula and Mr Olusegun Abioye.

Report updated by Lashley Oladigbolu, London 

WHY OYO STATE MUST REJECT THE CONCURRENT/ROTATIONAL CHAIRMANSHIP BILL -COUNCIL OF OBAS AND CHIEFS (FURTHER AMENDMENTS) BILL 2025).

The Council of Obas and Chiefs (Further Amendments Bill 2025) represents not just a policy shift, but an existential threat to centuries of Yoruba tradition, cultural identity, and political stability. No doubt, this is a dangerous precedent in the making as the Oyo State House of Assembly has rushed to consider a legislative proposal that strikes at the very heart of Yoruba traditional governance. The Council of Obas and Chiefs (Further Amendments Bill 2025), which seeks to introduce rotational chairmanship among the Alaafin of Oyo, Olubadan of Ibadan, and Soun of Ogbomoso is not merely an administrative adjustment, it is an unprecedented assault on centuries of established Yoruba tradition, legal precedent, and cultural heritage. Who proposed the bill? Are the insurgents amidst us?

This editorial presents a comprehensive examination of why this bill must be immediately withdrawn after the second reading. The Alaafin's stool traces its authority to the Old Oyo Empire (13th-19th centuries), the most powerful political force in Yoruba history. Historical records from the writings of Samuel Johnson in The History of the Yorubas (1921) and archaeological findings at Oyo-Ile testifies to this. Accounts by early European travelers like Hugh Clapperton confirm the Alaafin's role as the supreme ruler whose authority extended across modern-day Nigeria, Benin, and Togo. The Oyo’s sophisticated system of government included The Oyo Mesi (kingmakers), The Bashorun (prime minister) and other provincial rulers who all paid homage to the Alaafin. British colonial administrators, despite their disruptive policies,still recognized the Alaafin's unique position through the 1934 Native Authority Ordinance which established the Alaafin as President of the Oyo Provincial Court of Appeal. This created a clear hierarchy where Ooni oversaw Ife Division, Aremo Alaafin (Crown Prince) oversaw Oyo Division, Olubadan oversaw Ibadan Division, Owa oversaw Ijesha Divison, all under the Alaafin's overarching authority of the Oyo Province.

The 1957 Chieftaincy Declaration formally recognized the Alaafin as the highestranking Oba in Western Region in accordance with existing structure for centuries. Post independence, every military and civilian administration has maintained this structure. In the 1976 State Creation of Oyo State, General Murtala Mohammed preserved the Alaafin's position while the 1978 Chiefs Law codified the Alaafin's permanent chairmanship. The 2000 Law (Cap 37) maintained this tradition without controversy for 24 years among the traditional system stakeholders. Why the sudden change is direction by the government in the mist of peace among traditional stakeholders? Which Oyo State residents are supporting this bill? What is their mission? Is Yorubaland safe? Are the insurgents already in our mist? The proposed rotation isn't modernization, it's historical revisionism.

Since independence, Nigeria's courts have consistently ruled in favor of preserving traditional hierarchies. Example was Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III vs. Oyo State Government (2003) where the court held that the Alaafin's status cannot be altered by political fiat.Another was AG Oyo State vs. Council of Obas (2010) where it was affirmed that traditional institutions require consensus for changes and established that customary law protections apply. This Council of Obas and Chiefs (Further Amendments Bill 2025) despite passing through the 2nd reading must stop because of its constitutional Implications. The bill violates Section 20 (protection of cultural heritage), Section 315 (entrenched customary law) which treats customary law rules as an existing law, and the Doctrine of Legitimate Expectation in administrative law. If this bill is passed, I foresee the floodgate effect among which are an immediate lawsuits from the Alaafin's descendants, challenges from other Obas seeking rotation, destabilising the fragile peace in Yorubaland. The rotational chairmanship bill will plunge Oyo State into endless litigation because the Alaafin's historical status as permanent chairman constitutes an acquired right protected under Section 315(5)(d) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

The Elesi v. Eweka (1986) 1 NWLR (Pt.5) 177 is a case study. Every resident of Oyo State must resist this bill because any first-year law student can identify at least three grounds for invalidation. As pace setters, we do not need a bills that will polarise Yorubaland till insurgents overrun us. The Supreme Court many times ruled that traditional institutions enjoy constitutional protection as “living customary law."Justice Niki Tobi's ruling explicitly cautioned against using legislative power to rewrite history. This is the case of the Council of Obas and Chiefs (Further Amendments Bill 2025) at a time when the traditional leadership system should work as one and fight against insurgents in our land. The litigation domino effect is that the Alaafin's descendants will file suit of assent joined by a minimum of 14 other Obas with historical claims. The Olubadan chieftaincy families may demand rotation expansionalso while the Soun's council could challenge term duration. The case will move from High Court → Appeal Court → Supreme Court→ Potential ECOWAS Court action under cultural rights protocols costing billions of Naira in Oyo State tax payers money. Such a case may likely span years causing destructive governance at a time many residents are hungry.

It’s is also funy to see how the 2025 Bill attempts to override 1999 constitution Section 4(8) Constitution (Amendment procedures) and the Customary law requirements for traditional modifications. If this bill is passed, there will be administrative paralysiswhere the Traditional Council operations may be frozen during injunctions and all pending chieftaincy matters could be further delayed. It will be causing a huge reputational damage with the international perception that the Yorubas have an unstable traditional system. UNESCO may reconsider Oyo's intangible cultural heritage status like Sango festival, and so on at a time we should be moving forward. I see a judicial tsunami ahead. This bill is not just bad policy, it's a legal incendiary device. The courts have repeatedly shown they will not tolerate politically-motivated tampering with traditional institutions. Oyo State cannot afford years of litigation when it needs unity against pressing security and economic challenges. The Assembly has two choices by withdrawing the bill now and preserve institutional stability or proceed and guarantee years of expensive, divisive lawsuits. Consecutive Oyo State Government tried this in the past and failed at the court. The law is clear; the voice and choice of the people should be clearer. 

The rotational proposal has no historical basis as only the current law reflects centuries of practice. Any amendment ignoring the aforementioned evidence would dismiss 600+ years of documented history and disregard multiple government commissions. It will also undermine Nigeria's cultural heritage preservation. The Alaafin's stool isn't just an office, it's the living embodiment of Yoruba history. Let's not sacrifice centuries of tradition on the altar of political expediency. My call for the Oyo State Government is to immediately withdraw the bill, convene a stakeholders' forum with all Obas and explore inclusive alternatives that don't disrupt hierarchy. Oyo State would become an outlier by introducing rotation where no need exists. The Alaafin's supremacy was recognized through wars, treaties, and colonial administrations. Politically-motivated rotation dismantles this organic hierarchy. The 1983 deposition of the Emir of Kano by Governor Abubakar Rimi led to decades of mistrust between Kano's traditional and political institutions. Oyo State citizens should disallow the passage of this unpopular bill because governments all levels could manipulate rotation to punish uncooperative monarchs (e.g., 2019 suspension of Emir Sanusi). Politicians may start rewarding loyalists with elevated status, then traditional stools become political appointments, as it occurred with the proliferation of "certified Obas" in Osun State (2002-2010) or the Lagos' controversial creation of 37 new obaships in 2017 at a go.

My Comparative Models: A cross-section of States that Maintain Permanent Chairmen.

| Lagos | Oba of Lagos | Since 1980 | Chiefs Law 2015 |

| Osun | Ooni of Ife | Since 1991 | Traditional Laws |

| Edo | Oba of Benin | Since 1979 | Edo Traditional Law |

Why should Oyo State be different? The proposed rotation isn't traditional reform, it's political engineering that would reduce monarchs to pawns in electoral strategies. It will destroy one of Africa's last intact traditional systems and set dangerous precedent for other states, destabilising existing peace in Yorubaland at a time we should be concerned with delivering good governance. The Alaafin's permanent chairmanship isn't about individuals, it's about preserving an institution older than Nigeria itself. 

Engr. (Prince) Afolabi Aderemi Paul,Tella Gbaagi Olufunu Agunloye Royal House,Oyo Alaafin.

Prince Afolabi is a professional Engineer who promotes trade and sustainability through diaspora initiatives. He is the Chairman NIDO-Portuga

l, Continental Treasurer Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation Europe President Afrocultural Institute, Portugal.

remmyafolabi@gmail.com

+351920417829