Ukraine expects more practical support from India, said Foreign Minister Dimitro Kulebas
Ukraine expects more practical support from India, said Foreign Minister Dimitro Kulebas
Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Dimitro Kuleba said on Wednesday that Ukraine expects “more practical support” from India as it fights Russia’s military. Addressing a press conference held virtually, Mr Kuleba argued that Ukraine has been a reliable partner of India, but by buying crude from Russia, India is actually buying Ukrainian blood. Strong comments indicate a hardening of Ukraine’s position as India continues to purchase Russia’s Ural crude to stabilize energy supplies for its economy.
“When India Buys Russian Crude Oil” [at a discount], they have to understand that the exemption is to be paid by Ukrainian blood. Every barrel of Russian crude oil supplied to India has a fair share of Ukrainian blood. We are friendly and open to India. I supported the evacuation of Indian students. We expected more practical support from India to Ukraine,” Mr. Kuleba said in response to a question. Hindu, He referred to India and Ukraine as two democracies that have essential similarities and “the two democracies have to stand by each other”.
before, External Affairs Minister (EAM) of India S Jaishankar said that oil and gas prices are “unreasonably high” and pointed out that Asia’s conventional energy suppliers are “diverting” to Europe to deal with a situation where every country is trying to address high energy prices. which has become a global challenge. Against the backdrop of the war in Ukraine. “We are not doing it in a defensive way. We have been very open and honest about our interests. I have a country with a per capita income of $2,000. These are not the people who can afford the high energy prices. It is my obligation…the moral duty to actually get them the best deal from the world,” Dr Jaishankar has said.
The foreign minister explained that India is not trying to be “smart” in getting energy from many countries, including Russia, and presented India’s position as “direct”, adding, “My understanding is that the world accepts it as a reality.”
Ukraine’s minister acknowledged that India’s decision to continue energy purchases from Russia did not “surprise” Kyiv, but observed that the war in Ukraine was providing Russia with an opportunity to make money from the energy trade.
“Throughout human history, in every conflict, in every war, there are people who suffer from war and then there are people who make money,” he said, pointing to the continued energy sales by Russia to India . Referring to the colonial history, the Ukrainian minister said that Asian countries had suffered for centuries due to war and exploitation, and reminded that the tradition of neutrality, which has been followed by many countries such as Indonesia and India since February, was adopted by Ukrainian Cannot be justified as women and children are dying in war.
India has supplied several batches of humanitarian material to Ukraine since the start of the war on 24 February, which posed a formidable challenge to Delhi as about 20,000 Indian students and professionals were evacuated in Ukraine as fierce fighting . Both sides maintained constant communication at the highest level, including at least three phone calls between President Volodymyr Zelensky and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Mr. Kuleba spoke to Dr. Jaishankar last week after Jaishankar assured more humanitarian aid to Ukraine. Mr. Kuleba reminded that Ukraine has been a reliable supplier of agricultural commodities, especially sunflower oil, to India.
In answer to another question from HinduMr Kuleba cautioned that deepening ties between Russia and conflict-torn Myanmar in India’s east would be a strategic challenge for New Delhi in the future. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov visited Myanmar earlier this month, where he assured the continuation of ties between the two countries. “Russia is approaching Myanmar not for bilateral reasons, but because it wants to gain a foothold in regional security and use Myanmar as an advantage,” said Ukraine’s foreign minister.