Srinagar,25-Feb; As the fate of Ukraine is looking increasingly uncertain with Russia launching a series of strikes across the country, Senior CPI(M) leader M Y Tarigami on Friday while expressinggrave concern at the armed conflict, appealed to the Indian government to bring Indians stranded in the war-torn nation home safely and quickly.While Speaking to Tarigami said around 25,000 Indians are reportedly living in Ukraine, of which at least 200 are from Kashmir, and added that the Centre should not stop at advising Indians to fly out of Ukraine but take steps to evacuate those stranded there.After the dissolution of the Soviet Union, the United States led NATO has been steadily expanding eastward, contrary to the assurance given to Russia. The efforts to get Ukraine to join NATO would pose a direct threat to Russia’s security. Russia is also concerned about its security due to the threat posed by the presence of NATO forces and missiles at its borders in Eastern Europe. Hence the Russian demand for security guarantees, including Ukraine not joining NATO, is legitimate. “The refusal by the U.S. and NATO to meet the Russian security needs and the belligerence of the US in sending troops to the region have further escalated tensions. For peace to be established, the genuine concerns of all the peoples, including of the Donbass region in eastern Ukraine, should be addressed. The process of negotiations should be restarted and the earlier agreements reached by both the parties should be adhered to”, Tarigami said.Urging the Union Minister of External Affairs of the Government of India to intervene with the Government of Ukraine and Russia to assist J&K students, Tarigami hoped for a safe and early return of students”. ‘I hope that the Union Government will make all efforts to ensure a safe and early evacuation of J&K students’, Tarigami added.Meanwhile,Around 200 Kashmiri students studying in Ukraine are in touch with the Indian embassy and await the evacuation. The students and their families have also approached J&K Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and sought his intervention.(CNS
