India 'somewhat shaky' on punishing Russia for invasion of Ukraine, says US President Joe Biden
Categories: FOREIGN COUNTRIES
US President Joe Biden on Monday (local time) said that India, an exception among US major allies, "has been somewhat shaky" on the Western sanctions punishing Russia`s invasion of Ukraine.Biden in his remarks asserted that Putin didn`t anticipate how unified NATO and western allies would be in a global response to his invasion of Ukraine. At a virtual Quad conference earlier this month, leaders of Australia, Japan and the U.S. denounced Russia`s invasion. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, however, reiterated "the need to return to a path of dialogue and diplomacy."India is the only member of the QUAD that has not condemned Russia`s invasion. All member countries of the QUAD barring India have also slapped significant sanctions on Russia.India has abstained from key United Nations votes on the crisis, calling instead for an "immediate cessation of violence" and a return to dialogue. Russian forces launched military operations in Ukraine on February 24, three days after Moscow recognized Ukraine`s breakaway regions, Donetsk and Luhansk as independent republics followed by the announcement of a "special military operation" to "demilitarize" and "denazify" Ukraine.Biden spoke with France President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi and UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson where the leaders underscored their continued support for Ukraine, including security assistance to the war-torn country. This week, President Joseph R Biden, Jr will travel to Poland following his meetings in Brussels, Belgium with our NATO Allies, G7 Leaders, and European Union leaders to discuss international efforts to support Ukraine and impose severe and unprecedented costs on Russia for its invasion," White House spokesperson Jen Psaki said in a statement.The statement said, on Friday, March 25, President Biden will travel to Warsaw, Poland, where he will hold a bilateral meeting with President Andrzej Duda. The President will attend a G7 meeting to further discuss with its Allies and partners the consequences of imposing on Russia for its war of choice. Biden will also join a scheduled European Council Summit to discuss our shared concerns about Ukraine, including transatlantic efforts to impose economic costs on Russia, provide humanitarian support to those affected by the violence, and address other challenges related to the conflict.On February 24, Russia began a special military operation in Ukraine after the Donetsk and Luhansk people`s republics requested help in defending themselves. What followed the military operation was a slew of sanctions imposed by the western countries targeting the Russian economy.