India was among the 13 United Nations Security Council members who voted against Russia’s proposal to prevent Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy from addressing the UNSC remotely. While it was only a procedural vote, this was still the first time India voted against Russia on a Ukraine-related issue since the former launched its military operation in February. Russia was the only country to back its proposal as China abstained and others supported Zelensky’s virtual address.
The Indian government qualified its position by saying this was not a vote against Russia as Zelenskyy had at least twice addressed the Council earlier through video conference. Russia’s objection was also limited only to the Ukrainian President speaking through a video conference as Moscow “in principle” was not against participation by Zelensky in person. Despite pressure from the West to do so, India has so far not condemned Russia’s actions in Ukraine and has also abstained from voting on resolutions blaming Moscow for the conflict. Currently, the UNSC held a meeting to take stock of the now six-month-old conflict on the 31st anniversary of Ukraine’s independence. As the meeting began, Russian ambassador to the UN Vassily Nebenzia requested a procedural vote concerning the Ukrainian President’s participation in the meeting by video conference.
Following statements by him and Ferit Hoxha of Albania, the UNHC extended an invitation to Zelensky to participate in the meeting via video conference by a vote of 13 in favour to one against. Russia voted against such an invitation, while China abstained. Nebenzia insisted that Russia does not oppose Zelensky’s participation, but such participation must be in-person. The council decided to work virtually, but such meetings were informal and, after the pandemic’s peak, the council returned to the provisional rules of procedure.
