Ukraine is doing all necessary amid unfortunate conditions to assist the evacuation of Indian people, particularly students. Yet, only Russian President Vladimir Putin can guarantee their protection, according to Ukrainian Ambassador Igor Polikha on Monday.
Despite complaints of harassment and prejudice towards Indians fleeing the war-torn country, Polikha highlighted the significance of discipline and composure at border checks to facilitate a smooth evacuation of all immigrants.
He predicted that there would be problems if 500,000 Ukrainians and foreigners attempted to evacuate across the border crossings with Poland, Hungary, Romania, and Slovakia.
“It’s a battle, a major catastrophe… “I can promise you that the Ukrainian administration is assisting everyone who is attempting to evacuate the place,” Polikha said during a media conference at the embassy.
He and his deputy, he added, were utilizing personal and unofficial relationships to help Indian individuals and were in constant communication with border guard officers.
When asked if Ukraine could provide any promises about the wellbeing of the Indian students, an infuriated Polikha responded, “Putin should indeed offer the key promises to the Indian students.”
“We are keen to resolve this issue, but don’t neglect the core source of the problem,” he continued. “It isn’t Ukraine, it isn’t Indian students, and it isn’t other immigrants. You are aware of the primary cause of this catastrophe — Russian bombing and shelling.”
As of Monday, approximately 12,000 Indians in Ukraine, with 2,000 having fled via border checks with Hungary and Romania in recent days. Nevertheless, Indian nationals have encountered difficulties and lengthy waits at the central crossing point into Poland.
Polikha ascribed these issues to many Ukrainians and foreigners fleeing to Poland. To generalize the matter, he highlighted the example of the Ukrainian defense attaché’s wife and two children being held at the Polish border for three days.
When asked about claims of abuse and prejudice against Indians, he told reporters, “Stop talking about discrimination and racism. Please avoid promoting fear. My people and I constantly communicate with our border guards and their supervisors.
There have been unsavory occurrences with individuals from other nations and Ukrainians attempting to bypass the queue and cross the border before their turn.” He stated that Indians stuck in fighting zones in eastern Ukraine were supplied with humanitarian supplies while waiting in bomb shelters.
On Sunday, Foreign Secretary Harsh Shringla visited Russian and Ukrainian diplomats to express India’s worries for its people’s safety in times of crisis and to urge both nations’ cooperation for their evacuation.
Polikha stated that Shringla asked him to attempt to help further aggressively and that he fulfilled his promise to provide international relief to Ukraine. The Ukrainian embassy is also attempting to assist hundreds of Ukrainians who have become trapped in India, Sri Lanka, and the Maldives due to the cancellation of aviation services.
Published By – Vanshu Mehra
Edited By – Subbuthai Padma
