Russia spoke about India's stand on Ukraine, said many things - Know

Russia has welcomed India's stand on Eastern Ukraine in the United Nations Security Council.

Russia's acting ambassador to India Roman Babushkin told The Hindu that India's response to eastern Ukraine has been completely independent.

Roman said the delivery of the S-400 missile system to India would not be affected due to the new sanctions on Russia. He said that whatever military equipment India buys from Russia, its supply will not be affected.

The Hindu has made this statement of the Russian ambassador as the second lead news on the front page.

Roman also said that India-Russia relations will not be affected by Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan's visit to Russia. Imran Khan reached Moscow on Wednesday night.

The Russian envoy said that the relations between Pakistan and Russia are not yet at the level of military partnership. He said that Russia believes that Kashmir is a bilateral dispute.

India's side

Just two days ago, Russian President Putin recognized Donetsk and Luhansk, two regions dominated by Russia-backed rebels in eastern Ukraine, as independent territories. This move of Putin has provoked the countries of the West and has announced many types of financial sanctions on Russia. The US, European Union, UK, Japan, and Australia have also strongly condemned Russia.

India's Permanent Representative to the United Nations TS Tirumurti told the Security Council that whatever is happening in the region regarding Ukraine is worrying. But India did not criticize Russia's decision.

Roman Babushkin told The Hindu, "Russia welcomes India's stand on Ukraine. India, as a global power, has at times held a balanced and independent view of Ukraine. Both the countries have talked about the situation there many times at the bilateral and multilateral levels.

"We have talked about it in the United Nations as well. India has a good understanding of things and knows why President Putin has made this announcement. Russia hopes that its friends and partners, including India, will recognize the new republics of "Donetsk and Luhansk".

Pakistan's screw

The Russian envoy said that apart from the US's new financial sanctions, its Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA) will not affect the $5 billion S-400 missile systems deal with India. He said that the delivery of the S-400 will take place.

Roman said, "Things will happen according to the agreement. Delivery time has been discussed. The restrictions will not have any effect on it.

Imran Khan has arrived on a two-day visit to Russia. This tour had already been announced. The Pakistani Prime Minister will discuss economic and energy cooperation with the Russian President. Along with this, he will also discuss the changing politics of the region.

Russia's acting ambassador to India said that India has not expressed any concern about Imran Khan's visit. Imran Khan's visit comes after 23 years as an elected Pakistani Prime Minister.

Before going to Russia, Imran Khan had strongly criticized the Modi government in an interview given to a Russian TV. He had alleged that India's ruling party discriminates against minorities. Imran Khan had also criticized the Modi government regarding Jammu and Kashmir.

Roman Babushkin told The Hindu about the visit of Pakistani PM, "We have an independent relationship with Pakistan. We have bilateral and economic agendas. Along with this, we are also in Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO). We hope that Afghanistan will also be discussed. I don't think any kind of defense agreement will be announced. There has been no change in our stand in Kashmir.

Russia says that Kashmir is a bilateral dispute and only India and Pakistan should resolve it together.