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PM Modi speaks with Zelensky, reaffirms India’s readiness to support peaceful resolution of Russia-Ukraine conflict
PM Modi reaffirmed New Delhi's readiness to contribute to all efforts aimed at a peaceful resolution of the Russia-Ukraine. conflict.
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday held a telephonic conversation with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, during which he reiterated India's commitment to resolving the Russia-Ukraine conflict through dialogue and diplomacy.
Modi reaffirmed New Delhi's readiness to contribute to all efforts aimed at a peaceful resolution, while emphasising India's human-centric approach to the ongoing conflict. The two leaders also discussed ways to strengthen bilateral cooperation across various sectors, the prime minister's office said.
‘Briefed PM Modi ahead of Abu Dhabi talks’ says Zelensky
In a post on X, Zelensky said he had briefed PM Modi on the latest diplomatic developments and Ukraine's preparations for the upcoming meeting in Abu Dhabi. He called on Russia to demonstrate a similar willingness to de-escalate the conflict, adding that Modi had repeatedly stressed the need to end the war.
The United States is set to bring together delegations from Ukraine and Russia in Abu Dhabi on November 10-11 to discuss ending Moscow's war against Ukraine, post-war security agreements and de-escalation, a senior US official told Reuters.
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“I spoke with Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi and briefed him on the latest diplomatic developments. We are actively preparing on every item on the agenda for the meeting in Abu Dhabi. Ukraine has always taken a constructive approach, and Russia must show the same readiness to de-escalate. The Prime Minister has said more than once, including directly to the Russian leader, that now is the time to end the war, not to continue it," Zelensky posted.
Zelensky added that the two leaders discussed food security and the disruption of grain exports through the Black Sea due to Russian actions.
He said India was ready to mediate in establishing food corridors and expressed hope that New Delhi would continue its efforts in this direction.
“It is important that India identify what steps it can take and what dialogue it can pursue with other leaders to help bring the war to an end. Food security could be one such area. We discussed Russia's blocking of grain exports via the Black Sea. India is ready to mediate in establishing food corridors, and we are counting on these efforts to continue,” he further said.
Earlier on Monday, Zelensky said he had spoken with EU chief Ursula von der Leyen to coordinate positions with the bloc ahead of US-mediated talks.
European powers are engaged in an intense diplomatic push to ensure any settlement in Russia's war on Ukraine is fair to Kyiv. Posting on X after speaking with von der Leyen, Zelensky said they had "coordinated our positions regarding the meeting in Abu Dhabi".
"We are doing everything to ensure that the trilateral format delivers results," he added.
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Trump expresses optimism that a resolution to Russia-Ukraine war is near
US President Donald Trump has expressed strong optimism that a resolution to the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war is near, pointing to the deep-seated animosity between Zelensky and Russian President Vladimir Putin as the primary stumbling block hindering peace efforts.
During a comprehensive broadcast interview with CBS News, the American leader was questioned about what factors he considered to be the most formidable barrier to ending the conflict.
“It was the hatred between Zelenskyy and Putin. If I had been president, that war would’ve never started. Zero chance. But it did start. So I inherited that war. I believe we’re very close to making a deal,” Trump said.
(With agency inputs)
