Russia Ukraine War Live Updates: Ukraine presses on with counteroffensive; Pope begs Putin to finish ‘spiral of violence and death’

Underlining that “escalation of rhetoric or tensions is in no one’s interest” and it’s “important that pathways are found for a return to the negotiating table”, India Saturday abstained on a United Nations Security Council (UNSC) decision, which might have condemned Moscow’s “illegal referenda” and declared its annexation of 4 Ukrainian territories as invalid. The UNSC decision was vetoed by Russia.

The UNSC couldn’t undertake the decision as Russia — a everlasting member of the UN Security Council — vetoed it. It was supported by 10 of the 15 members of the Council, whereas China, Gabon, India, and Brazil abstained.

Addressing the Council after the vote, India’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Ruchira Kamboj, stated: “India is deeply disturbed by the recent turn of developments in Ukraine. We have always advocated that no solution can ever be arrived at the cost of human lives.”

Russian President Vladimir Putin signed treaties Friday to illegally annex extra occupied Ukrainian territory in a pointy escalation of his seven-month invasion. Ukraine’s president countered with a shock utility to affix the NATO navy alliance.

Putin’s land-grab and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s signing of what he stated is an “accelerated” NATO membership utility despatched the 2 leaders dashing sooner on a collision course that’s cranking up fears of a full-blown battle between Russia and the West.

Putin vowed to guard newly annexed areas of Ukraine by “all out there means,” a renewed nuclear-backed risk he made at a Kremlin signing ceremony the place he additionally railed furiously towards the West, accusing the United States and its allies of searching for Russia’s destruction.

Zelenskyy then held a signing ceremony of his personal in Kyiv, releasing video of him placing pen to papers he stated had been a proper NATO membership request.