New Delhi: Ukraine's youngest Member of Parliament, Sviatoslav Yurash, lauded India for the humanitarian steps undertaken to assist those affected by Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
Sviatoslav Yurash also said India must reconsider its strategic partnership with Russia and punish the country for the "misdeeds" of Russian President Vladimir Putin.
"India is one of those countries which will decide the fate of this century. As far as the Indian position on the Russian relationship is concerned, thankful for the call PM Modi made to our President. We're thankful for the humanitarian steps that India has been making," the Ukrainian MP was quoted by ANI in its report.
"As far as India-Russia is concerned, you have a treaty on strategic friendship and partnership, I think that needs to be reconsidered in light of not just Ukraine but all misdeeds that Putin's regime has been doing for the last 20 years. Russia needs to be punished by India," he further said.
India has walked a diplomatic tightrope over the Ukraine conflict in the past few days and has tried to balance its ties with Russia and the West.
Earlier this week, Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to both Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Russian President Vladimir Putin and appealed for an immediate cessation of violence.
In response to a query about whether he believes peace would return to Ukraine soon, Sviatoslav Yurash said, "It's up to the Kremlin. If the Kremlin decides to keep pressing, we'll keep battling. Fighting for fundamental rights that we wish to protect in the same way that our forefathers did. We're not going to give up what we've accomplished."
Earlier, a photo of the Ukrainian MP guarding a post and carrying a gun went viral. Commenting on that picture, the MP said, "Fact of the matter is, with Kyiv besieged and Ukraine needs to mobilize and try to defend against Russian invasion, everybody is a soldier now. Everybody needs to find their place."
The MP also praised the actions taken by Western nations in the midst of the conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
When asked if Ukraine feels deceived by its partners (Western nations), the Ukrainian MP stated, "We understand the West does the right thing after exhausting other options. The reality is, it takes time for those institutions to spring into action. We don't have time, so we're fighting Russian invaders."
"As far as the West is concerned, we have received a lot of aid, we have received a lot of help and we are thankful for that. But again nothing is enough, nothing is too much and all are welcome," he added.
(With ANI Inputs)