West raises concerns as India, Russia strengthen ties following hospital attack

[LAUREN TAYLOR]

INDIA’S PRIME MINISTER NARENDRA MODI’S TWO-DAY VISIT TO MOSCOW THIS WEEK RAISED EYEBROWS AS THE WORLD REACTS TO THE TRAGIC BOMBING IN UKRAINE THAT KILLED SEVERAL PEOPLE AT A CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL.

DESPITE WESTERN DISAPPROVAL, MODI AND PUTIN SHOWCASED THEIR BOND, WITH PUTIN GIVING MODI A BEAR HUG AND CALLING HIM HIS “DEAREST FRIEND,” THE TWO DISCUSSED STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS IN DEFENSE, ENERGY, AND TECHNOLOGY.

DURING HIS VISIT TENSIONS ESCALATED AS RUSSIA DENIED ANY INVOLVEMENT IN THE KYIV CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL ATTACK, ATTRIBUTING THE DAMAGE TO UKRAINIAN ANTI-MISSILE DEFENSES WITHOUT PRESENTING EVIDENCE.

IN CONTRAST, UKRAINIAN AUTHORITIES MAINTAIN THAT A RUSSIAN KH-101 CRUISE MISSILE WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE ATTACK, A CLAIM SUPPORTED BY MISSILE FRAGMENTS AND EXPERT ANALYSIS CONFIRMING A DIRECT STRIKE.

AS A RESULT — THE UNITED NATIONS SECURITY COUNCIL WAS SET TO MEET TUESDAY TO ADDRESS THE HOSPITAL ATTACK.  WITH U.N. SECRETARY-GENERAL ANTONIO GUTERRES CONDEMNING THE STRIKES AS VIOLATIONS OF INTERNATIONAL HUMANITARIAN LAW.

AMID THE ONGOING CONFLICT BETWEEN UKRAINE AND RUSSIA, NATO MADE A SIGNIFICANT COMMITMENT REGARDING UKRAINE’S FUTURE WITHIN THE ALLIANCE.

A DRAFT VERSION OF NATO’S JOINT STATEMENT INTRODUCED THE TERM “IRREVERSIBLE” TO DESCRIBE UKRAINE’S PATH TOWARD MEMBERSHIP. THIS CHOICE OF WORDS IS A STRONG AND CLEAR SIGNAL TO BOTH UKRAINE AND RUSSIA, EMPHASIZING NATO’S FIRM SUPPORT FOR UKRAINE’S EVENTUAL INTEGRATION INTO THE ALLIANCE DESPITE THE CONTINUING CONFLICT.

FOR STRAIGHT ARROW NEWS, I’M LAUREN TAYLOR.

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