India’s diplomatic silence: Delhi abstains from UN ceasefire call as Russia-Ukraine war enters fifth year

As the Russia-Ukraine war entered its fourth year, India maintained its nuanced diplomatic stance at the UNGA, abstaining from a resolution for an immediate ceasefire.

United Nations: As the war between Russia and  Ukraine marked its fourth anniversary, India maintained its nuanced diplomatic stance at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). India abstained from a draft resolution that demanded an “immediate, complete, and unconditional ceasefire” between Russia and Ukraine. The vote, held on Tuesday, shows the complex geopolitical tightrope many nations are walking amid the ongoing conflict.

The resolution, evocatively titled ‘Support for Lasting Peace in Ukraine,’ was brought forward by Kyiv and saw a significant, though not universal, endorsement. Out of the 193-member assembly, 107 nations voted in favour, 12 opposed it, and 51 countries, including India, chose to abstain.

India was among a diverse group of countries that opted out of the vote. Other notable abstentions included Bahrain, Bangladesh, Brazil, China, South Africa, Sri Lanka, and the United Arab Emirates.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy promptly conveyed his gratitude to the 107 nations that supported Ukraine’s resolution. Taking to X (formerly Twitter), President Zelenskyy hailed the resolution as a “crucial step” towards achieving lasting peace.

I am grateful to each of the 107 countries that stood with Ukraine today in defense of life at the @UN. The General Assembly adopted our resolution in support of a lasting peace, with clear calls for a full ceasefire and the return of our people. These are the right and… pic.twitter.com/s5tmD1Bymm — Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) February 24, 2026

24 February marks four years since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, in violation of the @UN Charter & international law. This devastating war is a stain on our collective consciousness & remains a threat to regional & international peace & security. The… — António Guterres (@antonioguterres) February 24, 2026

Secretary-General Guterres unequivocally called for “an immediate, full & unconditional ceasefire as a first step towards a just, lasting & comprehensive peace.” He emphasised that for any peace to be truly just, it must inherently align with international law, upholding Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity. “This is simply unacceptable,” he concluded, urging an end to the protracted suffering.

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Junaid Dar is a multimedia journalist based in Delhi, currently working as the Chief Reporter for News9 Live. He has been at the heart of India’s most pivotal moments. From the intense 2022 UP Assembly elections to the 2024 Assembly elections in Kashmir, and the high-stakes 2024 Lok Sabha polls, Junaid has been on the ground and brought fresh perspectives to his readers. His work goes beyond politics. He has a special knack for telling human stories—whether it’s his Indepth coverage of the farmers' protests, where he focused on the lives and struggles of the protesters, or his courageous reporting during the COVID-19 pandemic, where he risked his own safety to capture the full scope of the crisis. His reporting has appeared in leading national and international outlets, including Voice of America, Daily Vox, Huffington Post, TRT World, Article 14, and India Ahead, among others.

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