First round of talks ends, Russia defends war against Ukraine

The peace talks between Ukraine and Russia on Monday continued for nearly five hours but made no headway. As per reports, Ukraine's key demands were an immediate ceasefire and the withdrawal of all Russian troops. Russian officials said the meeting had ended by early evening and that the respective delegations were heading back to their capitals to discuss the negotiations. Meanwhile, facing deepening isolation on the world stage, Russia faced a crucial test of support Monday as the 193 members of the UN General Assembly held an extraordinary debate on a resolution condemning Moscow's "aggression" in Ukraine. During the rare emergency special session -- just the 11th the Assembly has held in the United Nations' 77-year history -- Russia defended its decision to invade its neighbor as member state after member state made a plea for peace. India's Permanent Representative to UN, TS Tirumurti, on Tuesday highlighted the "complex situation at the border crosssings", is hampering the efforts. The complex situation at the border crossings is adverserly impacting the predictable movement of people. This important humanitarian necessity must be immediately addressed.,he said.

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11th Emergency Special Session of the UN General Assembly on #Ukraine

Watch: Permanent Representative @AmbTSTirumurti speak at #UNGA ⤵️@MEAIndia @DrSJaishankar @harshvshringla @PMOIndia @IndiainUkraine @IndEmbMoscow pic.twitter.com/U8QTXZSwso

— India at UN, NY (@IndiaUNNewYork) March 1, 2022

According to media reports, India has abstained from voting at an emergency debate held by the United Nations Human Rights Council on the situation in Ukraine. Results of the vote were as follows: 29 in favour, 5 votes against and 13 abstentions to vote over a proposal demanding that Russia halt its attack on Ukraine. The Russian invasion of Ukraine that started on February 24 has killed over 350 civilians so far.Russia on Monday banned 36 countries from using its airspace, including all 27 members of the European Union. Global airlines will take a hit with the ban from flying over the world's largest country.