Diplomacy Is The Answer: EAM S Jaishankar On Russia-Ukraine Tensions, Stresses Reconciliation

The Munich Security Conference (MSC) is expected to extensively deliberate on the escalating tension between the NATO countries and Russia over Ukraine

File Photo: PTI

New Delhi: External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Saturday said that the situation owing to tensions between Russia and Ukraine needs a "different kind of approach", as he called for a diplomatic solution.

He delivered the statement addressing a panel discussion titled 'Earth and Water: Intersecting Politics of Eurasia and the Indo-Pacific' in Munich.

On the new cold war-like situation in Ukraine, S Jaishankar said: "It is very different. We are far more globalised, inter-penetrable.. situation calls for a very different kind of approach... At the end of the day, diplomacy is the answer. One has to look at ways of reconciling".

"But situations vary. Challenges in Indo-Pacific are different than Europe's...The most welcome development in the last 2 years has been Europe's commitment to Indo-Pacific, something which is very essential for our stability and prosperity," the External Affairs Minister added, as quoted by news agency ANI.

But situations vary. Challenges in Indo-Pacific are different than Europe's...The most welcome development in last 2 years has been Europe's commitment to Indo-Pacific, something which is very essential for our stability and prosperity: EAM S Jaishankar in Munich, Germany pic.twitter.com/rdpp3pkcly

— ANI (@ANI) February 19, 2022

He had arrived in Germany on Friday to take part in the Munich Security Conference (MSC). The MSC is expected to extensively deliberate on the escalating tension between the NATO countries and Russia over Ukraine.

Jaishankar has held a series of talks with foreign ministers and other senior delegates on the sidelines of the MSC.

He met with his German counterpart Annalena Baerbock and held a wide range of discussions covering bilateral and global issues, including the Indo-Pacific, the developments surrounding Ukraine, and the situation in Afghanistan.

Among senior delegates, the External Affairs Minister has held talks with Iranian counterpart H Amirabdollahian, Austrian counterpart Alexander Schallenberg, Slovenian Foreign Minister An e Logar, Foreign Minister of Saudi Arabia Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, and more.

World At "A Decisive Moment In History": Kamala Harris

Notably, addressing the annual Munich Security Conference, US Vice President Kamala Harris warned Russia on Saturday that the country will face unprecedented financial penalties if it invades Ukraine. She predicted that such an attack would draw European allies closer to the United States.

The US Vice President's statement the day after President Joe Biden said he was convinced that Russia's Vladimir Putin has made the decision to invade neighbouring Ukraine.

"Let me be clear, I can say with absolute certainty: If Russia further invades Ukraine, the United States, together with our allies and partners, will impose significant, and unprecedented economic costs," Harris said, as reported by Associated Press.

"The world is at a decisive moment in history," she told Ukraine's president, who said he just wants peace for his nation.

In her remarks, the US Vice President noted that not since the end of the Cold War has the Munich conference convened under such dire circumstances. 

(With Inputs From Agencies)