Russian President Putin issued orders on 30 September recognizing the independence of the Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions. He took similar steps for Luhansk and Donetsk in February 2022 and earlier for Crimea.
Russia's plan to capture more of Ukraine is a sign of an escalation in the seven-month war and is expected to further isolate Russia after the incident. At the same time, it will face more international punishment and Ukraine will get additional military, political and economic support.
On February 24, Russia occupied the southern Kherson region and part of neighboring Zaporizhzhia shortly after Putin sent troops to Ukraine. Both houses of the Kremlin-controlled Russian parliament will meet next week to ratify treaties for the regions to join Russia, sending them to Putin for his approval.
Russia has recognized the independence of these regions when it held a 'referendum' a few days ago. Authorities in Ukraine and the West have condemned the referendum vote as illegal.
India abstained from voting against Russia in UNSC
India abstained from voting on a draft resolution tabled by the US and Albania at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) on September 30, 2022, condemning Russia's illegal plebiscite and its occupation of Ukrainian territories.
The resolution demanded that Russia immediately withdraw its forces from Ukraine. 15 Security Council countries were supposed to vote on this resolution, but Russia used a veto against it, due to which the resolution could not be passed.
10 of the 15 Security Council countries voted in favor of the resolution, while China, Gabon, India and Brazil did not participate. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said that the occupation of another country's territory by threat or use of force is a violation of the United Nations Charter and the principles of international law. India's position has been clear and consistent since the beginning of this conflict.
