Source : INDIA TODAY NEWS
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Wednesday raised alarm over Indians and citizens of 46 other countries being used by Russia in its war against Ukraine. Speaking at the UN General Assembly, he urged the governments concerned to protect their nationals and prevent them from being drawn further into the conflict.
Zelenskyy said Russia was using citizens from countries including India, Ghana, Nepal, Tajikistan, Yemen, Kenya, Zimbabwe, Cuba, Belarus, Sudan and South Africa, among others.
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“We know that Russia uses citizens of 47 countries in its war in Ukraine — Ghana, Nepal, Tajikistan, India, Yemen, Kenya, Zimbabwe, Cuba, Belarus, Sudan, South Africa, and many, many others,” Zelenskyy said. He then addressed the representatives of those countries directly, urging them to act before their citizens were sent to the battlefield.
“I want to speak directly to every representative of these 47 countries: you know what Russia is doing with your people. They’re your citizens. Take care of them and do not let them end up on another front.”
“Do not let Putin drag you into this war. Do not let Russia put out its fires, cover up its shame, and pay for its madness with the lives of your people,” he said.
This comes as Kyiv continues to seek international support as the war enters another winter. Ukraine is also pushing for additional air-defence systems, particularly Patriot interceptors, amid continued Russian missile and drone strikes on critical infrastructure.
In a separate meeting with US President Donald Trump on Tuesday, Zelenskyy discussed steps aimed at de-escalation and support for Ukraine ahead of winter. The Ukrainian President said the two leaders also discussed efforts to strengthen Ukraine’s air defence and Patriot interceptor production.
‘PATIENT ZERO’ PUTIN MUST BE STOPPED: ZELENSKYY
Calling Russian President Vladimir Putin “Patient Zero”, Zelenskyy accused him of allowing the idea of war to spread, bringing pain, instability, new risks and crises.
“Russia’s leader, patient zero, the man from whom this war began and spread into the world, becoming the largest war in Europe since World War II, will inevitably leave this world.” He warned that the longer the Russian leader is able to continue the war, the wider its consequences could become.
Zelenskyy said Ukraine expected a difficult winter and warned that Kyiv would respond to further Russian attacks.
“This winter could be very harsh for us, but in response, we will have no choice but to make it painful for Russia too.”
He added: “The more freedom Putin has to act, the more dangerous the world becomes for everyone else.”
“That’s why patient zero must be stopped. He must be denied the space to act and the space to spread this evil.”
Drawing on the US’ recent Russia sanctions law, which allows the Trump administration to impose tariffs of up to 100 per cent on countries buying Russian oil and gas, Zelenskyy urged other nations to take similar steps. He said cutting off Moscow’s revenue streams was key to limiting its ability to sustain the war.
“When someone gives Russia more money through trade, they give this war more time. And that is exactly why we insist on limiting trade with the aggressor, and why we are burning Russia’s revenues ourselves,” Zelenskyy said.
INDIA BACKS BLACK SEA TRUCE EFFORT
Despite his criticism of countries whose citizens he says are being used by Russia, Zelenskyy also highlighted India’s role in efforts to reduce the conflict’s wider impact.
Speaking at the Ukraine-led Crimean Platform summit in New York, he said India, Egypt and Turkey had put forward proposals aimed at restoring safe commercial shipping in the Black Sea. Ukraine, he said, was ready to support a maritime truce and was now waiting for Moscow to respond.
“We are waiting for Russia’s response. Ukraine is ready … to ensure safe shipping and food security in the Black Sea if Russia is ready to take real steps towards de-escalation too. We have to start somewhere,” he said.
The issue has wider implications because the Black Sea is an important route for grain and other commodities. Attacks on ships and port infrastructure have disrupted commercial traffic, while countries in Asia, the Middle East and Africa depend heavily on supplies from the region. Recent attacks on Indian seafarers have raised concerns.
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SOURCE :- TIMES OF INDIA
