Russia Ukraine War | Russia attacks Ukraine and India’s Diplomatic Dilemma

Russia Ukraine War- Relevance for UPSC Exam

• GS Paper 2: International Relations- Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India’s interests.

Russia Ukraine War- Why in news

• Russia Ukraine war began yesterday when Russian President Vladimir Putin announced the ‘military operations in Ukraine.
• Russia Ukraine conflict has caused many strategic, political and economic consequences around the world.
• Ukraine has severed diplomatic relations with Russia after Moscow launched an all-out invasion of Ukraine by land, air and sea.

Countries Actions on the Russia Ukraine War

• India: Indian Prime Minister called on the Russian President and urged him to stop the military conflict and solve the differences through negotiations and diplomatic channels.
  • Earlier, the Ukrainian Prime Minister urged India to intervene and persuade Russia to stop the attack on Ukraine.
  • India said the situation in Ukraine is “in danger of spiraling into a major crisis”.
• USA: President of the USA said that the USA will not send its military to fight in Ukraine against Russia. He said Washington will intervene if Putin moves into NATO countries.
• China: China continues its support of the Kremlin with its customs agency approving imports of wheat from all regions of Russia.
• Europe: Europe along with the USA condemned the Russian invasion of Ukraine and imposed many sanctions on Russia.
• NATO Countries: USA-led NATO is expected to meet today and decide the future course of action on the Russia-Ukraine Conflict. Earlier NATO had imposed strict sanctions on Russia.
  • The countries on NATO’s eastern flank, especially the Baltic states of Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia, all have received the first batches of US military troops and equipment.

Russia Ukraine War- India’s Diplomatic Dilemma

India’s statement at the UN lacked condemnation of the Russian attack on Ukraine. Five reasons for India’s diplomatic dilemma are discussed below-

• Double Standards: The West views India’s statement as condoning Russia’s actions and applying double standards while it raises the issue of “territorial integrity and sovereignty” when it comes to China.
• India’s strategic ties with Russia: India’s dependence on Russia for military supplies — 60 to 70 percent of India’s military hardware is of Russian origin.
  • This is extremely crucial at a time when India has an ongoing border standoff with China.
• India at UN Meeting: India said the escalation of tension along the border of Ukraine with the Russian Federation is a matter of deep concern.
  • This is the closest New Delhi has gone so far to caution Putin’s Russia to not undertake risky behavior that may escalate.
  • It is a euphemism and diplomatese for India telling Russia: don’t do it.
• Safety of Indian Citizens: India’s worry remains its 20,000 Indian students and nationals, many of them who live close to the Ukraine-Russia border.
  • Many of these students are enrolled in the medical colleges of Ukraine.
  • India has also emphasized that it was concerned about the safety and security of civilians.
• Peaceful Negotiation through Diplomatic Channels: India has asked “all sides” to intensify diplomatic efforts to reach for an amicable solution at the earliest.
  • This is again a time-tested line of India’s, where it doesn’t blame one side or the other for not being cooperative.
  • West has blamed Russia for starting the tension and has put the ball in Putin’s court, whereas the Russian President has blamed NATO’s eastward expansion as a threat.

Minsk Agreements and the Russia-Ukraine Conflict

Russia Ukraine Conflict: Conclusion

• And, as a new conflict in the 21st century breaks out in the form of Russia Ukraine war, India has a tough strategic choice to make.

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