New Delhi: Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky Saturday announced that he has urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to give their country support against Russia’s military action at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC).
“Spoke with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Informed of the course of Ukraine repulsing Russian aggression. More than 100,000 invaders are on our land. They insidiously fire on residential buildings…Stop the aggressor together!” he wrote on Twitter.
A statement from Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s office confirmed the news. “President Zelensky briefed the Prime Minister in detail about the ongoing conflict situation in Ukraine. Prime Minister expressed his deep anguish about the loss of life and property due to the ongoing conflict,” it said.
According to the statement, PM Modivhad reiterated in his call for an immediate cessation of violence and a return to dialogue and expressed India’s willingness to contribute in any way towards peace efforts.
“Prime Minister also conveyed India’s deep concern for the safety and security of Indian citizens, including students, present in Ukraine. He sought facilitation by Ukrainian authorities to expeditiously and safely evacuate Indian citizens,” it added.
This comes a day after India abstained from voting on a US-sponsored UN Security Council resolution that condemned Russia’s actions. India was the third country after China and UAE that took this stance, even as 11 nations voted in favour of the resolution.
India’s stand was praised by Russia’s mission to India, who wrote in a tweet that it was “highly appreciative” of India’s “independent and balanced” position at the UN. While Ukraine had said that it was “deeply dissatisfied.”
“India was at the inception of NAM (Non-Aligned Movement)… We have been following statements by India. We are deeply dissatisfied with India’s position,” Envoy to India, Igor Polikha, had said.
Till now a total of 198 Ukrainians have been killed, including three children, since the Russia-Ukraine crisis escalated. Russian armed forces have also destroyed 821 objects of the Ukrainian military infrastructure, according to a statement by Russian Defense Ministry.
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