"We are deeply dissatisfied with India’s position."
The Minister of State (MoS) for External Affairs shared that India’s stand on the ongoing Ukraine-Russia crisis is neutral on February 24, 2022.
Rajkumar Ranjan Singh said that India hopes for a peaceful solution to the conflict.
Earlier, Russian forces attacked targets across Ukraine after President Vladimir Putin ordered an operation to “demilitarise” the country.
The move has prompted international condemnation and a US threat of further “severe sanctions” on Moscow.
Russia launched missile, artillery and air attacks on the morning of February 24, 2022.
Ukraine’s Interior Ministry warned that the capital was being targeted and urged citizens to go to shelters.
Ukraine’s border guard said that it was being shelled from five regions, including from Crimea and Belarus, and that Russian forces had crossed into the country.
India’s ‘neutral’ stand on the crisis has led to Ukraine announcing that it is “deeply dissatisfied” with the country’s position.
Ambassador of Ukraine to India Dr Igor Polikha urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to speak with Putin.
The country’s envoy to India stressed that the situation will also adversely impact all countries in the region, including India.
Talking to reporters who gathered outside the embassy in Delhi, Ambassador Polikha said:
“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.”
He added that India can use its “good offices” with Russia to “make Putin stop”.
Ambassador Polikha added that India’s “strong voice” can help prevent what he believes is a “regional conflict” that can engulf the “whole world”.
In an address ahead of the offensive, Putin said that the action was necessary after the US and its allies crossed Russia’s “red lines” by expanding the NATO alliance.
US President Joe Biden called Putin’s move “an unprovoked and unjustified attack”.
Meanwhile, an Air India rescue flight was turned back to Delhi by Ukraine after Kyiv shut down its airspace.
Indian Ambassador to Ukraine Partha Satpathy issued a letter urging Indian nationals not to panic.
However, he said that the situation in Ukraine is “highly tense and very uncertain”.
The letter further said: “The air space is closed, railway schedules are in flux and roads are crammed.
“I would request everyone to stay calm and face the situation with fortitude.
“The Embassy continues to remain open and operate in Kyiv.”
Watch Vladimir Putin’s Speech on Ukraine Invasion
Loading ...