New Delhi: Ukraine’s first deputy overseas minister Emine Dzhaparova stated on Tuesday that these backing Russia within the Ukraine conflict are “on the mistaken facet of historical past” and Kyiv plans to launch a counter-offensive in spring to create the grounds for contemporary negotiations to finish the hostilities.

Dzhaparova, the primary senior Ukrainian chief to journey to New Delhi because the begin of the Russian invasion final yr, stated Ukraine’s army cooperation with Pakistan was not focused in opposition to India. The difficulties in India’s neighbourhood, particularly strained relations with Pakistan and China, name for a practical and balanced method that ought to embrace forging new relations, she stated.

She made the remarks whereas interacting with reporters and delivering a speech on the theme “Russia’s conflict in Ukraine: Why the world ought to care” on the Indian Council of World Affairs (ICWA), a suppose tank below the exterior affairs ministry. Dzhaparova additionally met minister of state for exterior affairs Meenakshi Lekhi and delivered a letter from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Throughout her speech at ICWA, Dzhaparova reiterated her message of India enjoying a “higher function” in efforts to finish the conflict in Ukraine. “We respect the selections of a sovereign nation [like] India to construct up relations with different nations…However the message of Ukraine is that there ought to be consideration of a practical method,” she stated.

“Being with Russia – and we’re very honest in saying so – is definitely [like] being on the mistaken facet of historical past…Supporting Russia and being with Russia means [backing a] medieval imaginative and prescient of the world…I feel it may also take a while to construct up new relations with Ukraine and I feel it ought to be primarily based on a practical and balanced method,” she added.

The counter-offensive that Ukraine plans to launch in spring is aimed toward gaining a tactical benefit that may facilitate contemporary negotiations, she stated. She additionally referred to India’s function as an rising international energy and its G20 presidency and stated the nation ought to contain Ukrainian officers in G20 conferences and supply Zelensky a chance to handle the G20 Summit. She additionally hoped Indian leaders and officers will go to Ukraine to take ahead ties.

Dzhaparova stated throughout her speech and at her interplay with reporters after assembly Lekhi that Ukraine’s army ties with Pakistan, which had been developed within the Nineteen Nineties, weren’t directed in opposition to India’s pursuits. She stated she had introduced to the Indian facet a number of proposals for army cooperation, together with joint manufacturing of drones primarily based on Ukraine’s new-found experience on this space.

“I feel the suggestion that I introduced right here is to have a greater and deeper relationship with India. And it wants reciprocity. We knocked on the door however it’s also as much as the proprietor of the home to open the door,” she stated.

India has not but denounced Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and it has been maintained that the battle should be resolved by way of diplomacy and dialogue.

Lekhi stated in a tweet that she and Dzhaparova exchanged views on bilateral and international points, cultural ties and ladies’s empowerment. “Ukraine was assured of enhanced humanitarian help,” she stated. Dzhaparova tweeted that she had briefed Lekhi on Ukraine’s efforts to struggle Russia’s unprovoked aggression, and mentioned methods to deepen bilateral cooperation in varied fields.

Replying to a query from reporters on China’s aggressive behaviour on the Line of Precise Management (LAC) with India, Dzhaparova stated: “I feel that India and Ukraine are synchronised on the identical web page…Any act of aggression that may query the territorial integrity of any nation is a matter of giant concern.”