UN: India abstained from voting in the United Nations (UN) on a resolution condemning Russia’s annexation of Ukrainian territories. The vote was held on the draft resolution presented by the United States and Albania in the UN Security Council. Apart from India, China, Brazil and Gabon abstained from the vote.
The resolution criticized the illegal referendum held within Ukraine’s recognized international borders and called for an immediate end to Russia’s violence. However, the resolution failed due to Russia’s veto.
India’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Ruchira Kamboge, said that all parties concerned should make all efforts to end the violence immediately and dialogue is the only way to resolve differences and disputes. India also demanded that all avenues of diplomacy be opened for the path to peace.
India’s stance on the Ukraine-Russia conflict has been clear and consistent since the beginning. The Indian representative also pointed out that the position is based on global order, principles of the UN Charter, international law and respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all nations.
annexed by Russia. Luhansk and Donetsk have previously been pro-Russian regimes. Kherson and Zaporizhia were captured by Russia in a military operation in February. Ukraine, the European Union and NATO have said they will not accept the annexation. Ukraine applied for NATO membership as a response to Russia’s unilateral action.
Moscow says that more than 95 percent of the people in the referendum expressed interest in joining Russia. At the same time, Russia does not have full hegemony in any of the four areas that have been declared annexed. Russia took over 90,000 square kilometers of territory. This is 15 percent of Ukraine. In 2014, Crimea was annexed by Russia.