In the wake of escalating tensions between the former Soviet state and its neighbour Russia, which has placed troops, tanks, and bombers along the border, raising concerns of an invasion, India has urged its nationals living in Ukraine not to panic.
In a tweet, India’s embassy in Ukraine stated that it is aware of reports of individuals not being able to board planes, but that Indians living in Ukraine should not be concerned because extra flights are being prepared. For Indians, a 24-hour helpline has been established.
The embassy did not disclose when the additional flights will start flying. The embassy would release details “as and when confirmed,” according to the statement.
“Several requests for flights from Ukraine to India have been received by the Indian Embassy. Students are instructed not to worry in this situation, but to book the earliest available and convenient flights to India “The embassy sent out a tweet.
“At the moment, flights are operated by Ukrainian International Airlines, Air Arabia, Fly Dubai, Qatar Airways, and others,” it said.
“More flights are being scheduled shortly,” according to the embassy, including from Air India and Ukrainian International Airlines.
A day after announcing a troop pullout from Ukraine’s borders, Russia declared today that military training in Moscow-annexed Crimea had ended and that soldiers were returning to their garrisons.
Despite Moscow’s announcement that it would bring back more forces, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said Russia’s military build-up appeared to be continuing near Ukraine.
“We have heard from Moscow that they are willing to continue diplomatic efforts, but we have yet to see any de-escalation on the ground,” Mr Stoltenberg said ahead of a NATO Defence Ministers meeting. “On the contrary, it appears that Russia’s military build-up continues,” he said, according to the AFP news agency.
To avert the situation, a vigorous diplomatic campaign is underway.
Russia has consistently blamed the West for the Ukraine issue, claiming that the United States and Western Europe are dismissing Russia’s genuine security concerns. Russia demands that NATO guarantee that Ukraine will never be admitted to NATO and that the alliance reduce its presence in various eastern European and post-Soviet countries.
