Zelenskyy warns India, 46 nations at UN over Russia recruits ‘Don’t let Putin drag you into this war’
By Anjali Sharma
UNITED NATIONS – Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Thursday has directly appealed to India and 46 other countries to protect their citizens from being drawn into Russia’s war against Ukraine, alleged that Moscow is using “deception and tricks” to bring foreign nationals into the conflict.
UMEA figures cited in the source say 227 Indians were recruited into the Russian armed forces.
New Delhi has said it remains engaged with Moscow over the release and repatriation of those still there while 139 have been discharge.
The warning at the UNGA high level debate came against a stark Indian toll.
According to figures cited by the Ministry of External Affairs, 227 Indian nationals have been recruited into the Russian armed forces.
Of them, 139 have been discharged and 51 have died, MEA stated.
Zelenskyy spoke at the 81st UN General Assembly in New York named India alongside Ghana, Nepal, Tajikistan, Yemen, Kenya, Zimbabwe, Cuba, Belarus, Sudan and South Africa among 47 countries whose citizens he alleged were being used by Russia in the war.
“We know that Russia uses citizens of 47 countries in its war. Ghana, Nepal, Tajikistan, India, Yemen, Kenya, Zimbabwe, Cuba, Belarus, Sudan, South Africa, many others… We also see people dying on the battlefield who are not Russians people from your countries, 47 countries, who ended up in Russia through deception and tricks,” Zelenskyy said.
Zelenskyy addressed representatives of the 47 countries directly, urging governments to prevent more of their nationals from reaching the battlefield.
“I want to speak directly to every representative of these 47 countries. You know what Russia is doing with your people, 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. Limit his room to act, limit his money, limit his war,” he said.
The issue has prompted sustained engagement with Moscow.
Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said this month that New Delhi remained in discussions with Russia over the release and repatriation of Indian nationals still there.
According to the MEA figures of the 227 Indians recruited into the Russian armed forces, 139 have been discharged while 51 have died.
Zelenskyy used his UN address to make a broader case for restricting Russia’s ability to fund the war.
He said Ukraine’s objective was not oil, fuel, factories or ports in themselves, but the revenue that Moscow could use to sustain the conflict.
“Oil itself is not Ukraine’s target, not our target, not gasoline or diesel, not factories or portsOur target is Russia’s ability to finance this war, to drag it out, to make it more brutal and more destructive,” Zelenskyy said.
“Russia’s finances and Russia’s production are what must be stopped if Putin is to be stopped,” he added.
Zelenskyy also called for greater economic pressure on Moscow formed a central part of his UN address.
He also accused North Korean leader Kim Jong Un of sending troops to Russia and alleged that Pyongyang was receiving advanced military capabilities in return.
Zelenskyy claimed the cooperation included improvements in ballistic missile capabilities and drone technology.
“You probably saw the broadcast from Pyongyang when they honoured those who were killed. And this is madness, too. Why should Koreans give their lives in a war against Ukraine?” Zelenskyy added.
His remarks came as the war and its international ramifications remained among the major issues before world leaders gathered in New York for the high level week.
