Envoys from the UK, France and Germany jointly wrote an article for the newspaper on 1 December 2025 that blamed Russia for the war in Ukraine and accused Vladimir Putin of “utter disregard for human life”. File | Photo credit: AP
The diplomatic incident erupted ahead of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s arrival after envoys from the UK, France and Germany jointly wrote a newspaper article on Monday (1 December 2025) blaming Russia for the war in Ukraine and accusing Mr Putin of a “complete disregard for human life”. Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) officials termed the article by the three envoys as “unacceptable and unusual”.
A senior MEA official said of the article, which was authored by UK High Commissioner Lindy Cameron, French Ambassador Thierry Mathou and German Ambassador Philipp Ackermann: “This is very unusual. It is not acceptable diplomatic practice to give public advice on relations with third countries. We have taken note.”
The article, titled “World wants war in Ukraine to end, but Russia not serious about peace”, accused Russia of starting the war in Ukraine and said Russia’s attacks were “Russia’s systematic choice to wage its offensive war with absolute ruthlessness”.
The three envoys accused Russia of conducting “malicious global activity” through “cyber attacks and disinformation” that show the Russian leadership’s “appetite for territorial expansion and global destabilization extends far beyond Ukraine.” The article went on to target Russian President Putin, saying he was “halting and delaying” “serious peace negotiations”.
“It violates diplomatic norms”
Earlier, former foreign minister Kanwal Sibal had reacted to the article, describing it as a “public appearance with obvious propaganda intent”. He said the article was “bad”, that it “violated diplomatic norms”. “It is an interference in our internal affairs as the purpose is to inflame anti-Russian sentiments in pro-European circles in India and question the morality of our ties with Russia,” Sibal said, urging the MEA to “publicly express its displeasure at this breach of diplomatic norms by the three envoys.”
The senior officials further said that India and Russia are likely to sign a mobility agreement that will facilitate the employment of a large number of skilled and semi-skilled Indian workers in Russia. Russia is facing a labor shortage following the outbreak of the conflict with Ukraine, which has caused citizens of neighboring countries to avoid the Russian labor market.
India calls anti-Putin article by UK, French and German envoys ‘unacceptable’
A diplomatic spat has erupted ahead of President Vladimir Putin’s visit to India after envoys from the UK, France and Germany published a joint article blaming Russia for the war in Ukraine. The MEA termed the move unacceptable and unusual, saying diplomats should not comment on relations with third countries. Former foreign minister Kanwal Sibal also criticized the article as violating norms. Putin will visit India on 4-5 December, where he will discuss geopolitics and defense.
The official said the Indian side does not limit the number of workers Russia wishes to take as it is up to private companies to hire workers, suggesting that India will meet the labor demand from the Russian side.
The issue of mobility will be discussed by External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on December 3, 2025 at a conclave organized by the Indian magazine World and MEA. Apart from Mr. Jaishankar, German Ambassador Ackermann and Australian High Commissioner Philip Green will address the conclave.
Published – 03 Dec 2025 0:00 IST
