Ukrainian envoy to India unhappy with country’s stance on Russian invasion

Ukraine is “deeply dissatisfied” with the position India has taken regarding the crisis of the Russian military offensive which is currently underway, PTI reported. The agency said ambassador Igor Polikha expressed displeasure and sought support from New Delhi to defuse the situation. 

The Ukrainian ambassador noted that India shared a special relationship with Russia and could play a more proactive role in de-escalating the situation, as per PTI. The agency also reported the ambassador’s observations of how Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has Russian President Vladimir Putin’s ear, and that New Delhi could use its position of proximity to Moscow so they can control the situation. 

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According to PTI, the envoy noted how Ukraine has been tracking India’s response to the situation and has not been pleased with it. So far, India has maintained a relatively neutral stance, stating that both country’s security issues need to be taken cognizance of, and the nations should keep channels open for a diplomatic resolution, ensuring long-term peace and stability in the region.

However, the Ukrainian ambassador’s statements come a day after Russian Deputy Chief of Mission Roman Babushkin noted that India had a vital task as a responsible global power and accordingly took a balanced and impartial approach to affairs of the world. 

The United Nations Security Council had called an emergency meeting to discuss the crisis in Ukraine, at which point India urged for all sides to show restraint. 

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Russia after indicating it had no plans to invade Ukraine, despite the massive troop buildup at the country’s borders, has proceeded with an assault on the sovereign country. In response, Ukraine has severed diplomatic ties with Russia. The Vladimir Putin-led Moscow government faces sanctions from numerous countries in the world, as a result of their actions, with NATO leading the pushback.