The US Secretary of State Antony Blinken met briefly with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Thursday (March 2) in New Delhi on the sidelines of the Group of 20 foreign ministers meeting, sources told WION. It was their first such encounter since the start of the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war.&nbsp;

Blinken reportedly told the Russian foreign minister that the US will support Ukraine "for as long as it takes". He also&nbsp;urged&nbsp;Russia to rejoin the New START nuclear arms control treaty that Russian President Vladimir Putin recently withdrew from.&nbsp;

Reports have mentioned that Washington pressed Moscow on Ukraine's situation in the brief meeting which lasted less than 10 minutes and urged Russia to engage with Ukraine based on demands put forward by President Volodymyr Zelensky.&nbsp;

The meeting happened a day after Blinken said that he had no plans to meet his Russian or Chinese counterparts. It was also of huge significance as it happened amid several Western nations urged for peace initiatives. As quoted by news agencies, a senior US official said that Blinken wanted to "disabuse the Russians of any notion that our support might be wavering" on Ukraine.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/g20-russia-does-not-feel-isolated-west-isolating-itself-now-says-lavrov-567674">G20: Russia does not feel isolated, West isolating itself now, says Lavrov</a>&nbsp;

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Blinken wanted to "send that message directly", the official said, further adding that we "always remain hopeful that the Russians will reverse their decision and be prepared to engage in a diplomatic process that can lead to a just and durable peace."&nbsp;

"But I wouldn't say that coming out of this encounter there was any expectation that things would change in the near term," the official added.&nbsp;

The meet will be seen as a significant diplomatic victory for Delhi since no such meeting took place at last year's G20 FMs meet.&nbsp;

India has been calling for dialogue and&nbsp;diplomacy to resolve the conflict. Last year, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Russian President Vladimir Putin and&nbsp;told him that this is "not an era of war", a phrase that has since then been reiterated by several western world leaders.&nbsp;

"PM Modi was not just speaking about some isolated individual situation because the West is trying to divide the geopolitical picture. Mr Modi gave an assessment of the situation across the globe," Lavrov said while referring to PM Modi's opening remarks at G20 foreign ministers' meet.&nbsp;

Lavrov also lauded India's "responsible stand" on key global issues. He said, "Russia's relationship with India is described as a 'privileged strategic partnership'. This reflects the special character of the relationship. We appreciate the responsible stand India is taking on key global agendas."&nbsp;

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The US Secretary of State Antony Blinken met briefly with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Thursday (March 2) in New Delhi on the sidelines of the Group of 20 foreign ministers meeting, sources told WION.

The US Secretary of State Antony Blinken met briefly with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Thursday (March 2) in New Delhi on the sidelines of the Group of 20 foreign ministers meeting, sources told WION. It was their first such encounter since the start of the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war. Blinken reportedly told the Russian foreign minister that the US will support Ukraine "for as long as it takes". He also urged Russia to rejoin the New START nuclear arms control treaty that Russian President Vladimir Putin recently withdrew from. Reports have mentioned that Washington pressed Moscow on Ukraine's situation in the brief meeting which lasted less than 10 minutes and urged Russia to engage with Ukraine based on demands put forward by President Volodymyr Zelensky. The meeting happened a day after Blinken said that he had no plans to meet his Russian or Chinese counterparts. It was also of huge significance as it happened amid several Western nations urged for peace initiatives. As quoted by news agencies, a senior US official said that Blinken wanted to "disabuse the Russians of any notion that our support might be wavering" on Ukraine. ALSO READ | G20: Russia does not feel isolated, West isolating itself now, says Lavrov Breaking: Sergey Lavrov & Blinken meet in Delhi. First break here⤵️ https://t.co/765lpzLuUS — Sidhant Sibal (@sidhant) March 2, 2023 × Blinken wanted to "send that message directly", the official said, further adding that we "always remain hopeful that the Russians will reverse their decision and be prepared to engage in a diplomatic process that can lead to a just and durable peace." "But I wouldn't say that coming out of this encounter there was any expectation that things would change in the near term," the official added. The meet will be seen as a significant diplomatic victory for Delhi since no such meeting took place at last year's G20 FMs meet. India has been calling for dialogue and diplomacy to resolve the conflict. Last year, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Russian President Vladimir Putin and told him that this is "not an era of war", a phrase that has since then been reiterated by several western world leaders. "PM Modi was not just speaking about some isolated individual situation because the West is trying to divide the geopolitical picture. Mr Modi gave an assessment of the situation across the globe," Lavrov said while referring to PM Modi's opening remarks at G20 foreign ministers' meet. Lavrov also lauded India's "responsible stand" on key global issues. He said, "Russia's relationship with India is described as a 'privileged strategic partnership'. This reflects the special character of the relationship. We appreciate the responsible stand India is taking on key global agendas." WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Blinken and Lavrov hold 'brief' meeting, first in-person since start of Ukraine war

Authorities on Friday (March 3) arrested two Kansas men for illegally exporting technology to Russia. According to a statement issued by the US Department of Justice, the men were arrested on charges related to a years-long scheme to circumvent American export laws that included the illegal export of aviation-related technology to Russia after its unprovoked invasion of Ukraine, and the imposition of stricter restrictions on exports to Russia.&nbsp;

The men have been identified as Cyril Gregory Buyanovsky, 59, of Lawrence, and Douglas Robertson, 55, of Olathe. The Department of Justice said that the two men operated the KanRus Trading Company, which supplied Western avionics equipment to Russian companies and provided repair services for equipment used in Russian-manufactured aircraft.&nbsp;

"Since 2020, the defendants conspired to evade US export laws by concealing and misstating the true end users, value and end destinations of their exports and by transshipping items through third-party countries," the statement said.&nbsp;

It added that on February 28 last year (four days after the Ukraine war), "the defendants attempted to export avionics to Russia. US authorities detained the shipment, and the US Department of Commerce informed the defendants that a licence was required to export the equipment to Russia."

The Justice Department also said that in April 2022, Douglas Robertson expressed to a Russia-based customer that things were complicated in the US and this was not the right time for more paperwork. From May-July, Robertson and Cyril Gregory Buyanovsky illegally transshipped avionics through Armenia and Cyprus to Russia without obtaining the required licenses.

The Kansas men have been charged with conspiracy, exporting controlled goods without a licence, falsifying and failing to file electronic export information, and smuggling goods contrary to American law.

If convicted, they would be "20 years in prison for each count of exporting controlled goods without a licence; up to 10 years in prison for each count of smuggling; and up to five years in prison for each count of conspiracy and falsifying export information," Friday's statement added.&nbsp; 
 
(With inputs from agencies)

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Authorities on Friday (March 3) arrested two Kansas men for illegally exporting technology to Russia. According to a statement issued by the US Department of Justice, the men were arrested on charges related to a years-long scheme to circumvent American export laws that included the illegal export of aviation-related technology to Russia after its unprovoked invasion of Ukraine, and the imposition of stricter restrictions on exports to Russia.

Authorities on Friday (March 3) arrested two Kansas men for illegally exporting technology to Russia. According to a statement issued by the US Department of Justice, the men were arrested on charges related to a years-long scheme to circumvent American export laws that included the illegal export of aviation-related technology to Russia after its unprovoked invasion of Ukraine, and the imposition of stricter restrictions on exports to Russia. The men have been identified as Cyril Gregory Buyanovsky, 59, of Lawrence, and Douglas Robertson, 55, of Olathe. The Department of Justice said that the two men operated the KanRus Trading Company, which supplied Western avionics equipment to Russian companies and provided repair services for equipment used in Russian-manufactured aircraft. "Since 2020, the defendants conspired to evade US export laws by concealing and misstating the true end users, value and end destinations of their exports and by transshipping items through third-party countries," the statement said. It added that on February 28 last year (four days after the Ukraine war), "the defendants attempted to export avionics to Russia. US authorities detained the shipment, and the US Department of Commerce informed the defendants that a licence was required to export the equipment to Russia." The Justice Department also said that in April 2022, Douglas Robertson expressed to a Russia-based customer that things were complicated in the US and this was not the right time for more paperwork. From May-July, Robertson and Cyril Gregory Buyanovsky illegally transshipped avionics through Armenia and Cyprus to Russia without obtaining the required licenses. The Kansas men have been charged with conspiracy, exporting controlled goods without a licence, falsifying and failing to file electronic export information, and smuggling goods contrary to American law. If convicted, they would be "20 years in prison for each count of exporting controlled goods without a licence; up to 10 years in prison for each count of smuggling; and up to five years in prison for each count of conspiracy and falsifying export information," Friday's statement added. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

US: Two Kansas men arrested for illegally exporting technology to Russia amid Ukraine war

Disclaimer: A number of claims and counterclaims are being made on the Ukraine-Russia conflict on the ground and online. While WION takes utmost care to accurately report this developing news story, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos.&nbsp;

Russia's Wagner mercenary group claimed on Friday that the Russians have surrounded the eastern Ukrainian city of Bakhmut. Other reports claimed that the fight for the key battleground city is raging 'round-the-clock'.&nbsp;

Reports in the Ukrainian media cited authorities saying that they discovered hastily buried bodies in 'makeshift graves' when the Russian forces briefly gained control of villages and towns near Kyiv. The Kremlin has not clarified on the accusations till the time of filing of this report.

Meanwhile, the Ukrainian forces were reported to be clinging on to Bakhmut despite what is being seen as a position of Russian advantage during the ongoing conflict.&nbsp;

ALSO WATCH |&nbsp;Bakhmut assault nearing its end? Ukraine says situation critical | Round the clock fighting

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The Russian forces have reportedly been attacking Bakhmut in Donetsk province for months, sometimes in waves, and the site has become one of the bloodiest battles of the war.

"Fighting is going on in Bakhmut round the clock...The situation is critical," Volodymyr Nazarenko, a deputy commander in the National Guard of Ukraine, was quoted as saying by Ukrainian NV Radio.

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/russian-forces-tries-to-encircle-and-storm-bakhmut-567539">Russian Forces try to encircle and storm Bakhmut</a>

On Friday, the General Staff of the Ukraine Military said that the country's forces repelled over 85 attacks in the five principal sectors of the Bakhmut front line.&nbsp;

The General Staff further accused that Russia continues to target civilians, something Moscow denies, with air and missile strikes in Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson Oblasts.

For Russia, taking Bakhmut would be a step towards seizing the rest of the surrounding industrial region known as the Donbas.

(With inputs from agencies)

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Disclaimer: A number of claims and counterclaims are being made on the Ukraine-Russia conflict on the ground and online. While WION takes utmost care to accurately report this developing news story, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos.

Disclaimer: A number of claims and counterclaims are being made on the Ukraine-Russia conflict on the ground and online. While WION takes utmost care to accurately report this developing news story, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos. Russia's Wagner mercenary group claimed on Friday that the Russians have surrounded the eastern Ukrainian city of Bakhmut. Other reports claimed that the fight for the key battleground city is raging 'round-the-clock'. Reports in the Ukrainian media cited authorities saying that they discovered hastily buried bodies in 'makeshift graves' when the Russian forces briefly gained control of villages and towns near Kyiv. The Kremlin has not clarified on the accusations till the time of filing of this report. Meanwhile, the Ukrainian forces were reported to be clinging on to Bakhmut despite what is being seen as a position of Russian advantage during the ongoing conflict. ALSO WATCH | Bakhmut assault nearing its end? Ukraine says situation critical | Round the clock fighting × The Russian forces have reportedly been attacking Bakhmut in Donetsk province for months, sometimes in waves, and the site has become one of the bloodiest battles of the war. "Fighting is going on in Bakhmut round the clock...The situation is critical," Volodymyr Nazarenko, a deputy commander in the National Guard of Ukraine, was quoted as saying by Ukrainian NV Radio. ALSO READ | Russian Forces try to encircle and storm Bakhmut On Friday, the General Staff of the Ukraine Military said that the country's forces repelled over 85 attacks in the five principal sectors of the Bakhmut front line. The General Staff further accused that Russia continues to target civilians, something Moscow denies, with air and missile strikes in Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson Oblasts. For Russia, taking Bakhmut would be a step towards seizing the rest of the surrounding industrial region known as the Donbas. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Battle for Bakhmut rages on ‘round the clock’ as Russia intensifies offensive

The G20 foreign ministers' meeting saw no joint communique being issued following differences over the Russia-Ukraine war. Molly Gambhir tells you more.

Gravitas: No joint communique after G20 meeting

A team of Ukrainian and international lawyers has found evidence which suggests that the&nbsp; Russian torture centres found in Kherson, Ukraine, were not random, but were planned and directly financed by Russia. Notably, Kherson was under Russian control for eight months, from March last year till the beginning of November when Ukrainian forces took back control of the city after a fierce counteroffensive.

The prisoners at the centres included anyone who was connected to the Ukrainian state or Ukrainian civil society, including activists, journalists, civil servants and teachers. Several others who had been imprisoned there said they were randomly picked off the street and detained for allegedly having “pro-Ukrainian” material on their phones.

The team, headed by a UK barrister, is known as the Mobile Justice Team,&nbsp;said on Thursday that they investigated 20 torture chambers in Kherson and it is highly likely that they were part of a “calculated plan to terrorise, subjugate and eliminate Ukrainian resistance and destroy Ukrainian identity”.

Also Read |&nbsp; <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/amid-ukraine-war-us-discussing-possible-sanctions-against-china-report-567567">Amid Ukraine war, US discussing possible sanctions against China: Report</a>

Ukrainian prosecutors had collected evidence from around 1,000 survivors to understand more about the torture centres. Plans used by Russian forces to establish, manage and finance the 20 torture centres in Kherson were part of the evidence analysed by the group.&nbsp;

“The mass torture chambers, financed by the Russian state, are not random but rather part of a carefully thought-out and financed blueprint with a clear objective to eliminate Ukrainian national and cultural identity,” said Wayne Jordash, the British barrister who is leading the team.

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“The mass torture chambers, financed by the Russian state, are not random but rather part of a carefully thought-out and financed blueprint with a clear objective to eliminate Ukrainian national and cultural identity,” said the British barrister Wayne Jordash.

The lawyers say that the torture centres were run by Russian security services, the FSB, as well as the Russian prison service and local collaborators. The torture centres, they said, were meant to subjugate, re-educate or kill Ukrainian civic leaders and ordinary dissenters.

Those taken to the torture centres were beaten and given electric shocks. The team says they were also forced to learn and recite pro-Russian slogans, poems and songs. At least 400 people went missing from the centres, and it is unclear if they died or&nbsp;were taken to Russia.

“Putin’s plan is to occupy Ukraine, subjugate the Ukrainian population to Russian rule and destroy Ukrainian identity. This plan is becoming clearer as the evidence of war crimes proliferates and as our investigations progress,” Jordash said.

(With inputs from agencies)

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A team of Ukrainian and international lawyers has found evidence which suggests that the Russian torture centres found in Kherson, Ukraine, were not random, but were planned and directly financed by Russia.

A team of Ukrainian and international lawyers has found evidence which suggests that the Russian torture centres found in Kherson, Ukraine, were not random, but were planned and directly financed by Russia. Notably, Kherson was under Russian control for eight months, from March last year till the beginning of November when Ukrainian forces took back control of the city after a fierce counteroffensive. The prisoners at the centres included anyone who was connected to the Ukrainian state or Ukrainian civil society, including activists, journalists, civil servants and teachers. Several others who had been imprisoned there said they were randomly picked off the street and detained for allegedly having “pro-Ukrainian” material on their phones. The team, headed by a UK barrister, is known as the Mobile Justice Team, said on Thursday that they investigated 20 torture chambers in Kherson and it is highly likely that they were part of a “calculated plan to terrorise, subjugate and eliminate Ukrainian resistance and destroy Ukrainian identity”. Also Read | Amid Ukraine war, US discussing possible sanctions against China: Report Ukrainian prosecutors had collected evidence from around 1,000 survivors to understand more about the torture centres. Plans used by Russian forces to establish, manage and finance the 20 torture centres in Kherson were part of the evidence analysed by the group. “The mass torture chambers, financed by the Russian state, are not random but rather part of a carefully thought-out and financed blueprint with a clear objective to eliminate Ukrainian national and cultural identity,” said Wayne Jordash, the British barrister who is leading the team. × “The mass torture chambers, financed by the Russian state, are not random but rather part of a carefully thought-out and financed blueprint with a clear objective to eliminate Ukrainian national and cultural identity,” said the British barrister Wayne Jordash. The lawyers say that the torture centres were run by Russian security services, the FSB, as well as the Russian prison service and local collaborators. The torture centres, they said, were meant to subjugate, re-educate or kill Ukrainian civic leaders and ordinary dissenters. Those taken to the torture centres were beaten and given electric shocks. The team says they were also forced to learn and recite pro-Russian slogans, poems and songs. At least 400 people went missing from the centres, and it is unclear if they died or were taken to Russia. “Putin’s plan is to occupy Ukraine, subjugate the Ukrainian population to Russian rule and destroy Ukrainian identity. This plan is becoming clearer as the evidence of war crimes proliferates and as our investigations progress,” Jordash said. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Torture centres in Kherson planned and financed by Russia, says lawyer group

Here we bring you a quick round-up of all latest news, top headlines and international breakings from all across the globe, stay tuned with Gravitas for more!

Gravitas Global Headlines: Russian media releases video of warplanes launching missiles in Bakhmut

Russian government officials will now be banned from using foreign words when carrying out their respective duties.&nbsp;According to the amended law, officials will be bound to use Russian language in formal communications. President Vladimir Putin signed the order&nbsp;on Tuesday.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-fines-wikipedia-millions-of-rubles-over-military-misinformation-566953">Also read |&nbsp;Russia fines Wikipedia millions of Rubles over military 'misinformation'</a>

As per a statement on the&nbsp;Russian government's official website, the amendments to the 2005 law are designed to 'protect and support the status of Russia.'&nbsp;

It specifies that "when using Russian as the state language of the Russian Federation, it is not allowed to use words and expressions that do not correspond to the norms of modern Russian ... with the exception of foreign words which do not have widely-used corresponding equivalents in Russian."

A government commission will put together a list for official language usage, and dictionaries that will also be approved by the cabinet.&nbsp;

Earlier, it was also against the law to use words and phrases that didn't conform to the norms of the modern literary Russian language, including obscenities.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-accuses-us-of-planning-toxic-chemicals-provocation-in-ukraine-566906">Also read |&nbsp;Russia accuses US of planning 'toxic chemicals' provocation in Ukraine</a>

The amendments&nbsp;do not mention any punishments for individuals&nbsp;who fail to follow the updated law. However, according to Reuters, a separate list of foreign-based words that can still be used will be published separately.&nbsp;

The list of these words will be published in dictionaries and reference books.

Recently, the Russian authorities also imposed a fine on Wikipedia worth two million roubles ($27,000) over "misinformation" about the military units.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

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Russian government officials will now be banned from using foreign words when carrying out their respective duties. According to the amended law, officials will be bound to use Russian language in formal communications.

Russian government officials will now be banned from using foreign words when carrying out their respective duties. According to the amended law, officials will be bound to use Russian language in formal communications. President Vladimir Putin signed the order on Tuesday. Also read | Russia fines Wikipedia millions of Rubles over military 'misinformation' As per a statement on the Russian government's official website, the amendments to the 2005 law are designed to 'protect and support the status of Russia.' It specifies that "when using Russian as the state language of the Russian Federation, it is not allowed to use words and expressions that do not correspond to the norms of modern Russian ... with the exception of foreign words which do not have widely-used corresponding equivalents in Russian." A government commission will put together a list for official language usage, and dictionaries that will also be approved by the cabinet. Earlier, it was also against the law to use words and phrases that didn't conform to the norms of the modern literary Russian language, including obscenities. Also read | Russia accuses US of planning 'toxic chemicals' provocation in Ukraine The amendments do not mention any punishments for individuals who fail to follow the updated law. However, according to Reuters, a separate list of foreign-based words that can still be used will be published separately. The list of these words will be published in dictionaries and reference books. Recently, the Russian authorities also imposed a fine on Wikipedia worth two million roubles ($27,000) over "misinformation" about the military units. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Russian govt bans officials from using foreign words and expressions

Ukraine said its forces are under pressure in Bakhmut, a nearly-destroyed city in the eastern Donetsk region that Russia has been trying to seize for months. Ukraine's ground forces described the situation as "extremely tense".

Russian troops grow stronger around Bakhmut, situation 'extremely tense'

As the war in Ukraine enters its second year, WION visited the coastal city of Odessa which was one of the top tourist destinations in Ukraine. Odessa faced the first major attack on April 21, 2022 with the aim of disconnecting the city with the rest of the country.

WION's exclusive report from Ukraine: One year on, life in Ukraine's Odessa | Russia Ukraine War

Russia has accused the West of destabilising the G20 Finance Ministers meeting in India by trying to force through a joint statement on the Russia-Ukraine war. The Russian Foreign Ministry issued a statement that said, 'we regret that the activities of the G20 continues to be destabilised'.

Ukraine Under Attack: EU vows to increase pressure on Moscow; Russia halts oil pipeline to Poland

The first meeting of G20 Finance Ministers in Bengaluru under India's G20 presidency were unable to agree on a joint statement condemning Russia for its war in Ukraine, with China and Russia itself declining to sign. The lack of consensus among G20 members meant India resorting to issuing a chair's summary and outcome document.

War in Ukraine divides G20

With the Russia Ukraine war entering its second year, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky says that Russia must stop bombing and withdraw from Ukraine before Kyiv can consider a diplomatic resolution to the war.

Russia Ukraine War: Zelensky open to talks with Putin, says 'ready for talks if bombing ends'

Despite the US and its allies continued ambitious efforts to bolster the Ukrainians, there are no signs of an endgame in the war. The Russia-Ukraine conflict seems destined to enter an even more complicated phase in the months ahead.

No signs of endgame in Russia-Ukraine war: Jets for Kyiv? No consensus among NATO allies

Matt Damon, Julia Roberts, Mark Hamill, and other celebs send prayers and love to Ukraine

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has arrived in India and his visit will focus on several areas including the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war. Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed him at the forecourt of the Rashtrapati Bhavan.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz arrives in India, Prime Minister Modi welcomes him

The Russian defence ministry has accused Ukraine of plotting an invasion of Transnistria, a breakaway region of Moldova. Russia's claim has been dismissed by Moldova. Molly Gambhir explains.

Gravitas | Russia: Ukraine plans to invade transnistria

On the anniversary of Russian invasion of Ukraine, Western nations have announced rest sanctions against Moscow and have pledged more military support to Ukraine. This comes after G7 leaders and a virtual meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

West announces new sanctions against Russia, more military aid to UN announced | World News | WION

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has given qualified support to the peace plan proposed by China and he said that he plans to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping. This came after Beijing at the United Nations General Assembly reiterated its support for diplomatic negotiations and offered solutions to end the war.

Ukraine President Zelensky's qualified support to China's plan, says 'planning to meet Xi Jinping'

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz will be arriving in India later today and his visit will focus on several areas including the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war. WION's diplomatic correspondent filed this ground report from India's capital, Delhi, watch the video to know more.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz to visit India; Russia-Ukraine war, G20 summit on agenda

One year into the Ukraine war, we have a clear winner. So, which side has won the war? Molly Gambhir tells you.

Gravitas: The winner of the Ukraine war

One year of Russia-Ukraine war: 'Terrible toll' of the conflict in numbers

German Chancellor Scholz in India, PM Modi says 'India-Germany share culture & economic relations'

Russia and Ukraine have been at loggerheads, on Friday, even before the UN Security Council could start its proceedings to discuss peace and security in Ukraine, a dramatic showdown happened. Watch the video to know what happened.

Russia, Ukraine face off at UN Security Council, high drama at meeting

A year has passed since Russia invaded Ukraine and since then this war has seen a lot of twists and turns. Russia kept some of the Ukrainian territories and was forced to withdraw from others after facing tough counter-offensive, one such town is Kherson. Watch WION's report to see what happening there.

Russia Ukraine War: WION reports from Kherson, Dnieper river still not safe to visit

In February 2022, about 11 weeks after New Delhi and Moscow signed a joint statement titled ‘India-Russia Partnership for Peace, Progress and Prosperity’, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced 'special military operations' in the predominantly Russian-speaking <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/key-city-in-donbas-largely-under-russian-control-says-ukraine-486382">Donbas region</a> of Ukraine.&nbsp;

"I hope you hear me," Putin <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wq6LcYDVsw8">said</a> on February 24, 2022, pointing towards the West. "Anyone who considers interfering from outside, you will face consequences greater than you have ever faced in history," he said while declaring the offensive which, according to a US military estimate, has resulted in 100,000 military casualties on both Russian and Ukrainian sides so far.

Putin’s declaration put countries with whom Moscow shares ‘special’ or ‘privileged’ bilateral ties – such as India, the United Arab Emirates, Israel and Turkey among others –- in a rare geopolitical tight spot. For months, Russia was holding a gun to Ukraine’s head, citing ‘security challenges’ such as an eastward expansion of NATO despite West’s past diplomatic assurances against the same.&nbsp;

That day, Putin pulled the trigger, shooting much of the Russian diplomatic capital in the West, and sending combative shockwaves across the Global South. The term Global South has come to be associated with the countries that were left out of the industrialisation wave, mostly the nations in the regions of Latin America, Africa, Asia and Oceania.

At its centre continues to be a geopolitically rising India, with a long history of bilateral bonhomie with Russia and the erstwhile Soviet Union.

<h2>India: A sane voice amid the war cry</h2>

India's careful geopolitical navigation was visible on February 23rd when New Delhi abstained from a non-binding&nbsp;UN vote that called upon Moscow to end hostilities against Kyiv.&nbsp;India's permanent representative to the UN Ruchira Kamboj quoted Prime Minister Narendra Modi while asserting&nbsp;that "no solution can ever arrive at the cost of human lives".&nbsp;India, while recognising the&nbsp;"inherent limitations" of the said resolution, added&nbsp;that it is "constrained to abstain" and that&nbsp;only viable way out of the conflict are "dialogue and diplomacy".

ALSO WATCH&nbsp;|&nbsp;How has the Russia- Ukraine war changed the word?

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India's voice has been that of&nbsp;restraint, that&nbsp;maintains&nbsp;its signature strategic autonomy, while calling for the ‘cessation of hostilities’ and upholding of the UN charter, according to experts. At the same time, India’s reaction to the Russian military action has been rooted in protecting New Delhi’s national interests with its desire to reduce hostilities between the two sides, they say.&nbsp;

“India has been following the buildup of tensions for the last several years and always knew that this was no ordinary conflict or war in the classical sense. It is a multilayered conflict with deep roots in history,” said Pankaj Saran, India’s former deputy National Security Advisor (2018- 2021), a job he took soon after returning from Moscow as India’s envoy (2016-2018). Saran is currently the convenor of New Delhi-based Centre for Research on Security and Strategic Issues.

“The issues involved relate to the fundamentals of the European security architecture,” Saran told WION, referring to the security implications of the US-led transatlantic alliance.

Anil Wadhwa, India’s former envoy to Italy, Poland and Lithuania, Thailand, and Oman, added that New Delhi’s response to the war has been characterised by ‘restraint’, that is, “condemnation of the civilian killings and abstention from the votes on the UN resolutions by the United States and West”.&nbsp;

“This is not an isolated position,” Wadhwa said, while referring to the multilateral posturing of the countries such as the UAE, South Africa, Israel and Turkey in relation to the ongoing war. &nbsp;

During the one year of war, in its abstentions from the UN votes condemning Russian actions against Ukraine, India has often found itself in the company of South Africa and China – two of its BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) partners. Individually, despite their bilateral issues, both New Delhi and Beijing have courted Moscow to ‘end the war’. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s famous ‘<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/todays-era-must-not-be-of-war-g20-draft-communique-uses-indian-pm-modis-remarks-to-putin-534278">today’s era is not of war</a>’ pitch to Vladimir Putin found its place in the Bali G20 declaration, shadowing a much-complicated geopolitical challenge as New Delhi took over the G20 presidency — during what has now become the second year of war in Ukraine.

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In February 2022, about 11 weeks after New Delhi and Moscow signed a joint statement titled ‘India-Russia Partnership for Peace, Progress and Prosperity’, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced 'special military operations' in the predominantly Russian-speaking Donbas region of Ukraine.

In February 2022, about 11 weeks after New Delhi and Moscow signed a joint statement titled ‘India-Russia Partnership for Peace, Progress and Prosperity’, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced 'special military operations' in the predominantly Russian-speaking Donbas region of Ukraine. "I hope you hear me," Putin said on February 24, 2022, pointing towards the West. "Anyone who considers interfering from outside, you will face consequences greater than you have ever faced in history," he said while declaring the offensive which, according to a US military estimate, has resulted in 100,000 military casualties on both Russian and Ukrainian sides so far. Putin’s declaration put countries with whom Moscow shares ‘special’ or ‘privileged’ bilateral ties – such as India, the United Arab Emirates, Israel and Turkey among others –- in a rare geopolitical tight spot. For months, Russia was holding a gun to Ukraine’s head, citing ‘security challenges’ such as an eastward expansion of NATO despite West’s past diplomatic assurances against the same. That day, Putin pulled the trigger, shooting much of the Russian diplomatic capital in the West, and sending combative shockwaves across the Global South. The term Global South has come to be associated with the countries that were left out of the industrialisation wave, mostly the nations in the regions of Latin America, Africa, Asia and Oceania. At its centre continues to be a geopolitically rising India, with a long history of bilateral bonhomie with Russia and the erstwhile Soviet Union. India: A sane voice amid the war cry India's careful geopolitical navigation was visible on February 23rd when New Delhi abstained from a non-binding UN vote that called upon Moscow to end hostilities against Kyiv. India's permanent representative to the UN Ruchira Kamboj quoted Prime Minister Narendra Modi while asserting that "no solution can ever arrive at the cost of human lives". India, while recognising the "inherent limitations" of the said resolution, added that it is "constrained to abstain" and that only viable way out of the conflict are "dialogue and diplomacy". ALSO WATCH | How has the Russia- Ukraine war changed the word? × India's voice has been that of restraint, that maintains its signature strategic autonomy, while calling for the ‘cessation of hostilities’ and upholding of the UN charter, according to experts. At the same time, India’s reaction to the Russian military action has been rooted in protecting New Delhi’s national interests with its desire to reduce hostilities between the two sides, they say. “India has been following the buildup of tensions for the last several years and always knew that this was no ordinary conflict or war in the classical sense. It is a multilayered conflict with deep roots in history,” said Pankaj Saran, India’s former deputy National Security Advisor (2018- 2021), a job he took soon after returning from Moscow as India’s envoy (2016-2018). Saran is currently the convenor of New Delhi-based Centre for Research on Security and Strategic Issues. “The issues involved relate to the fundamentals of the European security architecture,” Saran told WION, referring to the security implications of the US-led transatlantic alliance. Anil Wadhwa, India’s former envoy to Italy, Poland and Lithuania, Thailand, and Oman, added that New Delhi’s response to the war has been characterised by ‘restraint’, that is, “condemnation of the civilian killings and abstention from the votes on the UN resolutions by the United States and West”. “This is not an isolated position,” Wadhwa said, while referring to the multilateral posturing of the countries such as the UAE, South Africa, Israel and Turkey in relation to the ongoing war. During the one year of war, in its abstentions from the UN votes condemning Russian actions against Ukraine, India has often found itself in the company of South Africa and China – two of its BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) partners. Individually, despite their bilateral issues, both New Delhi and Beijing have courted Moscow to ‘end the war’. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s famous ‘today’s era is not of war’ pitch to Vladimir Putin found its place in the Bali G20 declaration, shadowing a much-complicated geopolitical challenge as New Delhi took over the G20 presidency — during what has now become the second year of war in Ukraine. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

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