Zelenskyy urges 47 countries to stop Russia recruiting their citizens
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has urged India and 46 other countries to prevent their citizens from being drawn into Russia’s war against Ukraine, alleging that Moscow is using foreign nationals in the conflict.
Addressing the UN General Assembly on Wednesday, Zelenskyy said citizens of 47 countries were involved in Russia’s war effort. He specifically named India, Ghana, Nepal, Tajikistan, Yemen, Kenya, Zimbabwe, Cuba, Belarus, Sudan and South Africa among the countries concerned.
“We know that Russia uses citizens of 47 countries in its war,” Zelenskyy said.
Zelenskyy’s appeal to India and other countries
Speaking directly to representatives of the countries he mentioned, Zelenskyy claimed that some of their nationals had reached Russia through what he described as “deception and tricks”.
“I want to speak directly to every representative of these 47 countries. You know what Russia is doing with your people, your citizens. Take care of them and do not let them end up on another front,” he said.
“Do not let Putin drag you into this war… Limit his room to act, limit his money, limit his war,” Zelenskyy added.
Zelenskyy did not give a country-wise breakdown of the 47 nationalities or disclose how many Indians he was referring to during his address.
He also said Ukraine had received requests related to prisoners of war from some countries whose citizens were fighting for Russia. According to Zelenskyy, Ukrainian forces had also encountered foreign nationals who were killed on the battlefield.
“We also see people dying on the battlefield who are not Russians — people from your countries, 47 countries, who ended up in Russia through deception and tricks,” he said.
India has raised the issue with Moscow
Zelenskyy’s remarks come amid India’s ongoing efforts to secure the release and repatriation of its citizens serving in the Russian armed forces.
India has previously acknowledged that hundreds of its nationals were recruited into the Russian military. New Delhi has repeatedly raised the matter with Moscow and sought their discharge.
Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said at an MEA briefing on September 1 that India had information about 227 Indian nationals who had been recruited into the Russian armed forces.
Of these, 139 had been discharged, while 51 had died. The remaining cases were being pursued by the Indian government, Misri said.
“This issue has been discussed at various levels. You would be aware that our embassy in Moscow is monitoring this situation regularly with regard to the release and repatriation of these Indian citizens,” Misri said.
He added that the issue had been discussed between India and Russia “at various levels on various occasions”.
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