Ukraine has recently rejected Moscow’s offer of opening humanitarian corridors to Belarus and Russia; Modi expresses concern for Indian students over a phone call to President Putin
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed the need to ensure the safety and safe evacuation of Indians trapped in Sumy, Ukraine over a phone call to Russian President Vladimir Putin. Nearly 700 Indian students are still trapped amidst heavy fighting in Ukraine’s Sumy.
PM Modi has expressed appreciation for the recent announcement of the ceasefire and the opening of humanitarian corridors in some regions in Ukraine that includes Sumy. On Monday, Russia had announced the opening of humanitarian corridors in important cities of Ukraine such as Kharkiv, Kyiv and Sumy for the safe evacuation of civilians.
PM Modi has also spoken to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky seeking his support in the evacuation of Indians stranded in Sumy located in north-eastern Ukraine. He has reiterated India’s demand to cease violence in Ukraine to bring a resolution to the ongoing crisis.
Details of phone call between PM Modi and President Zelensky:
During PM Modi’s 35-minute-long phone conversation with President Zelensky, PM Modi expressed “deep concern for safety and security of Indian students still in Ukraine and emphasized the need for their quick and safe evacuation,” the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) informed in a statement.
Official sources have stated that PM Modi has sought the support of the Ukrainian government in the ensuing evacuation efforts in Sumy of Indian nationals.
Ukraine rejected Moscow’s offer of opening humanitarian corridors to Belarus and Russia
Deputy Prime Minister Iryna Vereshchuk said, “This is not an acceptable option,” rejecting Russia’s appeal to open humanitarian corridors for evacuation of civilians from the Ukrainian cities of Kharkiv, Sumy, Kyiv and Mariupol. The news agency, AFP has informed that the civilians “aren’t going to go to Belarus and then take a plane to Russia.”
Sources in the Indian Mission in Ukraine has informed CNN-News 18 that efforts to evacuate Indians from Sumy will begin soon. However, a student has reported to News18,
“They told us to get ready… and girls were asked to go down. There is a queue now in front of the hostel but till now no buses have come.”
Edited by: Kiran Maharana
Published by: Vishakha Verma
