Russia-Ukraine crisis: India calls for restraint at UN, says can't afford to have military escalation

New York, Feb 22: Amid the escalating conflict between Ukraine and Russia, India called for "restraint on all sides" and said that all issues between Russia and Ukraine can only be resolved through “diplomatic dialogue" hours. India reaction comes during the United Nations Security Council's session on Ukraine which was held after Moscow recognized the Ukrainian rebel regions as independent and sent its troops for peacekeeping,

 

 

“India calls for "restraint on all sides" and "immediate priority is deescalation of tensions taking into account the legitimate security interests of all countries," India's Permanent Representative to the United Nations TS Tirumurti said at the UNSC emergency meet on Ukraine.

 

“We're convinced that this issue can only be resolved through diplomatic dialogue. We need to give space to recent initiatives undertaken by parties which seek to diffuse tensions,” Tirumurti said.

 

Expressing concerns about the safety of Indian nationals there, he said, “Safety and security of civilians is essential. More than 20,000 Indian students & nationals live & study in different parts of Ukraine, incl in its border areas. The well-being of Indians is of priority to us.”

 

 

 

Tirumurti stated that “India strongly emphasize the vital need for all sides to maintain international peace and security by exercising the utmost restraint and intensifying diplomatic efforts to ensure that a mutually amicable solution is arrived at the earliest.”

 

The UNSC emergency meeting came shortly after Russian President Vladimir Putin recognised two breakaway regions in eastern Ukraine as independent and ordered the Russian army to launch what Moscow called a peacekeeping operation into the area.

 

 

Putin, who was joined by Russia-backed separatist leaders, signed a decree recognising the independence of the two Ukrainian breakaway regions -- the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic and the Lugansk People's Republic - along with agreements on cooperation and friendship.

 

In a lengthy televised address, Putin described Ukraine as an integral part of Russia's history and said eastern Ukraine was ancient Russian land. Putin also said that he was confident that the Russian people would support his decision.

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