No immediate reason for Indian students to evacuate, says Ukraine’s envoy to India
India Today
Ukrainian Ambassador to India Igor Polikha said the situation in Ukraine is difficult but not critical, and there is no immediate reason for mass evacuation of Indian students in the country.
Amid a buildup of Russian forces on its eastern borders, Ukraine’s envoy to India has assured that there is no threat to Indian nationals in the country and no cause for mass evacuation.
In an exclusive interview with India Today, Ukrainian Ambassador to India Igor Polikha said diplomatic talks between Kyiv and Moscow were still underway and urged the nearly 20,000 Indian students in Ukraine to keep calm and stay abreast of the latest developments.
“Taking into account active negotiations that are underway, I don't see any immediate reason for massive evacuation of Indian students in Ukraine. They should monitor the situation but should not panic,” added Polikha.
The envoy's remarks came in the wake of the Indian mission in Kyiv asking Indian nationals, especially those whose stay is not essential, to return to India. Those who would remain behind in Ukraine are to stay in touch with the embassy.
The Ukrainian government is constantly in touch with the Ministry of External Affairs and keeping the Indian side updated on all the happenings, he said.
Several rounds of talks between Russia, the US and its Nato allies over the past weeks have failed to end the deadlock and deescalate the tension on Ukraine’s borders.
Igor Polikha, however, expressed cautious optimism that the situation would improve as long as Russia doesn’t walk away from the diplomatic table. To this end, Ukraine is prepared to engage in direct dialogue, he emphasised.
