Ukraine invasion unjustified but West’s sanctions against Putin like act of war: Amb Venkatesh Varma

In this edition of #ThePrintUninterrupted, Senior Consulting Editor Jyoti Malhotra spoke to India's former Ambassador to Russia and one of India's foremost nuclear experts D. B. Venkatesh Varma on the Ukraine crisis, whether Russian president Vladimir Putin was justified in invading another sovereign nation, why the Western bloc has imposed sanctions on Russia and what is the moral of this fast-evolving geopolitical story.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Join our channel to get access to perks. Click 'JOIN' or follow the link below:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Connect with ThePrint

[ThePrintIndia]

Early access, exclusive content, special privileges – Discover the great benefits of being a Member of ThePrint’s YouTube channel. Take a Paid Membership today. It costs just Rs 159/month.

[hrishikeshdas]

Everytime I think about subscribing to the Print i end up watching a Jyoti Malhotra interview and change my mind !

[sulaak]

I am from Nigeria and have been a subscriber to both WION and ThePrinter media houses, their analysis and knowledge of current affairs have been amazing, Amb Venkatesh Varma's analysis has been devoid of any self-interest or political inclination, India is lucky to have a brilliant diplomat.

[arkscrew]

It is one thing to have a dialogue and another to preach. It is exactly what most indians (this lady included) need to understand. Ambassador here was trying to not pinpoint what is wrong or right. He was just telling how the real world works. So trying to pull him into an argument as to what HE personally thinks was a poor move when he clearly stated TIME AND AGAIN that india has its own complex relationships and does not need to be drawn into something that is the least of it's concern. His points were as he stated not justifications but said more in a matter of fact way.
Another thing I would like to point out to the lady is that she is scared that china might do the same some day and that is why she apparently wants india to choose a side. But i think we are on the right track. Coz we all know USA or europeans have never been true allies of india. No one ever is in geopolitics. But at least we need not cut off our relationship with Russia just because USA thinks we should. Because in fact that is going to make Russia (which is now pretty friendly with both china and india) part ways with india and become a stronger ally of China which will only spell trouble for us. Because we all know USA will cone to our rescue only if it suits their interests. The world is testimony to that. So let us not get ahead of ourselves and invite trouble. We can focus on our own growth.

[ravikrishnaswamy]

Excellent balanced and nuanced analysis by Ambassador Varma. Disappointed by Ms. Jyoti Malhotra's lack of patience and inability to engage in an unbiased conversation. She just tries to bring him into an India-China rhetoric, which is not the topic of discussion. Well done, Ambassador 👏

[aseemsharma]

The lady should let the guest explain. Like he said explaining is not the same as justifying.

[ajaysridharan]

Excellent, nuanced and balanced observations by Ambassador Verma that’s rooted in hands on experience. He brought great clarity to a complex issue that many in the media are either topically skimming or pushing a viewpoint to serve a certain agenda. I also have to say this - I have been a fan of Jyothi Malhotra in these formats, but she wad woefully short of preparation in this episode. She missed opportunities to have more nuanced conversations with Mr.Verma given his vast international experience…and annoyingly kept asking questions for which he had already provided answers. Probably an off day for her in the office

[pramoduniyal]

Ambassador Varma comes across as inordinately seasoned observer of geopolitics. His is a refreshing take that emanates from a deep knowledge of how international politics works. Great piece this.

[ecozonebiz]

Amb Varma kudos to your analysis and knowledge. The media may try to push India's Foreign policy on their shallow understanding. As long as we have representatives like you we Indians can solve our problems with diplomacy.

[hray]

Ambassador Varma was brilliant and extremely patient. Loved his clear and firm dismissal of puerile world views!😀

[Shivanshduvedi]

Honestly, she's so impatient... She asked if Putin's failed 10 times (knowing it's an ongoing crisis and will unfold in days to come) even after he replied clearly. I am sure Mr Varma had more wisdom to share but the interviewer kept on pushing her understanding like she knew everything and her job there was to get confirmation. Please ask open-ended questions and let the person speak. Wanted to hear more about what Mr Varma was going to speak about Russia's eastern front.

Sorry for being blunt but I hope it's taken as constructive criticism. Great job though :)

[ishangore]

Sorry to say that the interviewer here as strong opinions of her own. Neither has she done any research on the conflict in the Donbass area or is she in Ukraine covering the conflict. I have seen junior reporters from ThePrint who have covered reports better. Mr. Shekhar Gupta is also a phenomenal journalist. This madam whenever she takes an interview, has an agenda which journalism does not cover. Its the uncovering of truth to present facts. Not sitting in your comfy drawing room & imposing your thoughts on to your "experts".

[mrunal]

Did not expect such a biased journalism from the Print. She is just trying to push a childish 'black and white' narrative, undermining the capacities of our own policy making. The ambasador has such an expertise to share. Loved his insights, nuianced explanations. Patient man.

[doriswrencheisler]

The surrounding of Russia by NATO is also an act of war, especially when it involves a country that is on Russia's very border, and said country has an active neoNazi element that is represented in the government, has killed Russian speakers in the thousands with impunity, has attempted to outlaw the Russian language and is also toying with the idea of attaining a nuclear capability. This is an intolerable situation, has been described as such by Russia before the fact, the treatment of which had a precedent in Georgia, and should have been anticipated by the West - if it wasn't - and that's not a foregone conclusion. Russia should be seen as doing us all a great favour.

[Valkyrie]

''Multipolarity requires us to retain our own space, if there is a conflict between two other poles then it will be foolish on our part to hide beneath one of the poles. India is too large of a country to either be crushed or forgotten '' -Amb Venkatesh Verma ... 40:48

[raman]

Fantastic - Venkatesh Verma is precise and on dot answers despite the usual questioning by a typical ""indian secular journalise". Great

[KrishnaKumar-icbo]

With people like Jyoti Malhotra as an interviewer how does print expect itself to be subscribed?

[VFDemon]

Amb. Varma is spot on! This is the calm, objective analysis that's required. This lady journalist is reacting emotionally to coverage in social media. Maybe she's forgotten Iraq, Libya, Syria, Afghanistan, Cuba, Venezuela etc?! The US has withdrawn from the ABM, INF, Open Skies, START treaties and yet, expands a 'defensive' military alliance towards Russia! Unless you understand the Russian motivation it's impossible to achieve peace something this journalist doesn't seem to understand. While, Russia has violated the UN charter something it has defended in the past, the build up to the current situation is lies primarily in the isolationist cold war mentality of domestic politics in the West.

[reddyguntuku]

The anchor is queen of interruption. She acts like her brain is going to explode if she cannot get the question out right away.

[felixguerrero]

This senior editor is terrible interviewer, always interjecting her opinions and asking leading question. The former ambassador has one of the most thoughtful analysis of the situation, I have heard. Kudos, truly insightful.