Putin, PM Discuss Russia-Crimea Issue

After signing a treaty to absorb Ukraine’s autonomous region of Crimea,  Russian president Vladimir Putin has called Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, during which Singh reiterated India’s position on territorial integrity of countries in the context of discussion of the volatile region.

After signing a treaty to absorb Ukraine’s autonomous region of Crimea,  Russian president Vladimir Putin has called Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, during which Singh reiterated India’s position on territorial integrity of countries in the context of discussion of the volatile region.

An MEA press release on Tuesday noted that Putin called Singh at 7.30 pm to discuss “the evolving situation in Ukraine and the recent referendum in Crimea”

Thanking Putin for explaining the Russian position, Singh “emphasised the consistent position India had on the issues of unity and territorial integrity of the countries.”

“The Prime Minister expressed his hope that all sides would exercise restraint and work together constructively to find political and diplomatic solutions that protected the legitimate interests of all countries in the region and ensured long term peace and stability in Europe and beyond,” said the MEA release.

On Sunday, Crimea, Russian speaking autonomous region of Ukraine, held a referendum which showed that over 90 per cent wanted to be part of Russia.

On Tuesday, Putin signed a treaty with Crimean leaders to absorb the peninsula.

The US and European countries do not recognise the referundum and therefore any consequential developments. In fact, the west has already put sanctions on over a dozen Russian leaders for their role in Ukraine.

Interesting, the release from the Russian president’s office on the phone call did not mention about Singh’s response or its reference to territorial integrity.

Related Stories

No stories found.
The New Indian Express
www.newindianexpress.com