Sign In
By signing in or creating an account, you agree with Associated Broadcasting Company's Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy.
By signing in or creating an account, you agree with Associated Broadcasting Company's Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy.
New Delhi: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said that mercenaries from China, Pakistan and several other countries are fighting for Russia in the ongoing conflict. He said troops of his country have reported the participation of mercenaries from "China, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Pakistan, and African countries in the war".
In a post on X, the Ukrainian President wrote, "Today, I was with those defending our country in the Vovchansk direction – the warriors of the 17th Separate Motorized Infantry Battalion of the 57th Brigade named after Kish Otaman Kost Hordiienko. We spoke with commanders about the frontline situation, the defense of Vovchansk, and the dynamics of the battles. We also specifically addressed the issues of drone supply and deployment, recruitment, and direct funding for the brigades."
"Our warriors in this sector are reporting the participation of mercenaries from China, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Pakistan, and African countries in the war," Zelenskyy said, vowing a response.
Pakistan rejects Ukraine's claim
However, Pakistan rejected the claim, saying the country has not been formally approached by the Ukrainian authorities, nor has any verifiable evidence been presented to substantiate such claims.
US sharpens attack on India over trade with Russia
This comes amid the US' continued tirade against India over the procurement of Russian crude oil. US President Donald Trump on Monday said he will "substantially" raise US tariffs on India, accusing the country of buying massive amounts of Russian oil and selling it for big profits.
"India is not only buying massive amounts of Russian Oil, they are then, for much of the Oil purchased, selling it on the Open Market for big profits. They don’t care how many people in Ukraine are being killed by the Russian War Machine. Because of this, I will be substantially raising the Tariff paid by India to the USA," Trump said in a social media post.
India hits back at US
In a sharp retort to the US and European Union for cornering New Delhi over Russian oil purchases, the government said that while India's imports are "a necessity compelled by the global market situation", the nations criticising it are themselves "indulging in trade with Russia" even when "such trade is not even a vital compulsion". The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) pointed out the continuing trade relations the US and the European Union have with Russia.
India has been targeted by the United States and the EU for importing oil from Russia after the commencement of the Ukraine conflict. In fact, India began importing from Russia because traditional supplies were diverted to Europe after the outbreak of the conflict, the MEA said. "The US at that time actively encouraged such imports by India for strengthening global energy markets stability," it added.
