Wed Mar 19 02:26:21 UTC 2025: ## Europe Eyes India’s Role as US Shifts Stance on Ukraine

**New Delhi, March 19, 2025** – As the US potentially shifts its approach to the Russia-Ukraine conflict following talks between Presidents Trump and Putin, European nations are anxiously watching India’s response. Jonatan Vseviov, Secretary-General of the Estonian Foreign Ministry, expressed deep concern over the situation, calling it “existential” for European countries bordering Russia.

In an interview with The Hindu at the Raisina Dialogue, Vseviov emphasized the global implications of the war, highlighting the violation of territorial integrity and sovereignty. He appealed to India to leverage its influence in upholding a rules-based world order and UN principles, rather than focusing on specific European or Ukrainian interests.

While acknowledging the ongoing war represents a collective failure, Vseviov expressed cautious optimism regarding the US’s potential renewed military and intelligence support for Ukraine. He stressed that if the US were to withdraw support, Europe would need to significantly increase its own contributions. This could include exploring security guarantees for Ukraine post-conflict, a measure Vseviov said should have been implemented years ago.

Regarding a potential EU-India Bilateral Trade and Investment Agreement (BTIA), Vseviov expressed optimism, despite past delays. He highlighted the potential for high-tech cooperation, education, and business collaborations between Estonia and India, emphasizing the need for mutual understanding to fully leverage these opportunities. The interview concludes with a renewed call for India to play a more active role in promoting a rules-based international order in the context of the ongoing conflict.

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