Mint Explainer: How the India-Ukraine relationship turned sour
G20 Summit in New Delhi, reflected Ukraine’s wider frustration with India’s position on its war with Russia. Mint takes a closer look at the tensions roiling the India-Ukraine relationship. Podolyak was speaking about the rise of powers such as India and China.
During the interview he accused the two countries of having “weak intellectual potential". “What’s the problem with China, India, etc… they are not able to analyse the consequences of their actions. These countries have low intellectual potential, unfortunately.
Yes, they invest in science. Yes, India has launched a lunar rover recently which is now trekking on the surface of the Moon, but that does not indicate that this country fully comprehends what the modern world is about," Podolyak said. Ukrainian officials have made no secret of the fact that they would like India to do more in support of its war against Russia.
However, they have so far been disappointed. India has not directly condemned Russia for invading Ukraine, nor has it been a major player in the sanctions levelled against Moscow. In fact, India has been a major buyer of Russian oil since the Ukraine war began.
It also did not invite President Zelensky to the New Delhi G20 Summit. Indeed. Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba accused India of benefiting from the suffering of Ukraine in a 2022 interview with NDTV.
“The opportunity for India to buy Russian oil at a cheap price comes from the fact that Ukrainians are suffering from Russian aggression and dying every day," he said at the time. “If you benefit because of our suffering, it would be good to see more of your help addressed to us," he added. Kuleba also asked India to directly call Russia out for its “aggression against Ukraine".
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