Ukraine summons Indian and Pakistani diplomats over false claims of drone attack on Putin's residence
Photo: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian leader Vladimir Putin (Getty Images)
On December 31, the Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned the heads of diplomatic missions from India and Pakistan for separate talks. Both countries had supported Russian claims of a so-called attack on the residence of Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin, according to the Ukrainian MFA.
The acting charge d’affaires of India and Pakistan in Ukraine were informed of Kyiv’s rejection of statements made by Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who endorsed the Russian misinformation.
"We hope that the leaders of these countries will express serious concern over Russia’s real attacks on civilian sites in Ukraine and show solidarity with Ukraine, which has faced unprovoked and unjustified Russian aggression for four years," the MFA stressed.
Similar measures were taken by the Ukrainian embassy in the UAE in response to statements by Emirati officials.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian embassies in Central Asian countries conveyed Kyiv’s position on the inadmissibility of supporting Russian propaganda and Moscow’s attempts to derail the peace process.
What Modi and Sharif said
The false claim of a Ukrainian drone attack on Putin’s residence was first spread by Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy quickly denied the claim, noting that Russia is attempting to disrupt peace negotiations.
On December 30, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed deep concern over the reports of an attack on Putin’s residence.
Meanwhile, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif spoke of a serious threat to peace.
