Putin’s annexation of Ukrainian Land

Putin’s annexation of Ukrainian Land

News: Russia has just stepped up the war in Ukraine. Just a week after declaring a partial mobilization of its troops, Moscow has announced that it will annex four provinces in Ukraine. These moves indicate that the war in Ukraine is likely to drag on.

Which provinces will be annexed?
• Russia has declared that it will annex four Ukrainian provinces: Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson.
• This has occurred after Moscow held deeply controversial referendums in these regions.
• According to several reports it is alleged that Ukrainian citizens were likely coerced into voting by Russian troops. In total, Russia is claiming an estimated 109,000 square kilometres of Ukrainian territory which amounts to about 15%-20% of the country.

Why such a move?
• By claiming territory as Russian land, Putin can justify an escalation in fighting as an attack on
Russian soil. This may pause Ukraine and its Western backers.
• Fighting a war on what Moscow considers its territory may lead to a full scale conflict that may, according to some experts, lead to limited use of nuclear weapons.

Impact on India:
• At the diplomatic level, it means that New Delhi is placed in a difficult spot on the global stage once again.
• India abstained on a vote for a draft resolution in the UN Security Council condemning Russia’s actions. While India continues to call for dialogue and for respecting territorial integrity, Putin’s annexation of Ukrainian land stands in direct contrast to India’s stated stance on war.
• An increase in hostilities will dampen global growth prospects and spook the already troubled energy markets. It will hurt India’s economic growth ambitions coming out of the pandemic.