Ukraine crisis: India abstains from UNSC resolution against Russian invasion
Russia, on Friday, vetoed a United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolution against the Russian attack on Ukraine. Eleven of the Council's 15 members, including the United States and the United Kingdom, voted for the motion. Meanwhile, three members—India, China, and the United Arab Emirates—abstained from voting. India has since issued an explanation for its abstention.
Why does this story matter?
As expected, the resolution has failed since Moscow enjoys the veto power as a permanent member of the Council. The world's largest country has launched an attack on neighboring Ukraine on Thursday after weeks of border tensions over the latter's wish to join the international military alliance NATO. Hundreds have allegedly been killed and wounded in the fighting on both sides.
'You cannot veto the truth'
The UNSC motion, co-written by the US and Albania, said it deplored Russia's aggression "in the strongest terms" and demanded the immediate pullback of its troops. "Let me make one thing clear," US Ambassador to the UN, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, said. "Russia, you can veto this resolution, but you cannot veto our voices, you cannot veto the truth... you cannot veto the Ukrainian people."
India urges an end to violence
In a statement explaining the abstention, the Permanent Representative of India to the UN, TS Tirumurti, said that the country was "deeply disturbed by the recent turn of developments in Ukraine." "We urge that all efforts are made for the immediate cessation of violence and hostilities. No solution can be arrived at, at the cost of human lives," the statement further read.
You can read the full statement here
50,000 Ukrainians flee country amid attack
Officials in both Ukraine and Russia have expressed a willingness to hold talks for a ceasefire. Meanwhile, Ukraine said more than 1,000 Russian soldiers had been killed in the fighting so far. Separately, the United Nations said over 50,000 Ukrainians had fled their country in less than 48 hours amid the Russian attack. "Many more are moving towards its borders," a UN official said.
