Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday spoke to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, reaffirming India's position for the peaceful resolution of the Ukraine conflict.
During the telephone conversation, PM Modi thanked Zelensky for sharing “his perspective on the recent developments related to Ukraine”, an official statement from the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) said.
PM Modi also highlighted India's support for efforts aimed at earliest restoration of peace, reiterating India's commitment to extend all possible support in this regard.
“The leaders also reviewed progress in the India-Ukraine bilateral partnership and discussed ways to further enhance cooperation in all areas of mutual interest,” the PMO statement said.
India ready to deliver appropriate signal to Russia, says Zelensky
After speaking to PM Modi, Ukrainian President Zelensky said India was ready to deliver the appropriate signal to Russia. “India is ready to make the necessary efforts and to deliver the appropriate signal to Russia and other leaders during the meetings on the sidelines of the summit,” Zelensky said in a post on X.
“The end of this war must begin with an immediate ceasefire, with the necessary silence. This position is understood and supported by everyone. It is impossible to speak meaningfully about peace while our cities and communities are under constant fire,” he said.
Zelensky said that during the call, he had informed PM Modi about his talks with US President Donald Trump, which included European leaders. “It was a productive and important conversation, a shared vision among partners on how to achieve real peace. Ukraine reaffirmed its readiness for a meeting with the head of Russia,” Zelensky said.
{{/usCountry}}Zelensky said that during the call, he had informed PM Modi about his talks with US President Donald Trump, which included European leaders. “It was a productive and important conversation, a shared vision among partners on how to achieve real peace. Ukraine reaffirmed its readiness for a meeting with the head of Russia,” Zelensky said.
{{/usCountry}}The Ukrainian President said that two weeks had passed since the meeting, with “no positive signal” from Russia. “…During this time, when Russia should have been preparing for diplomacy, Moscow has given no positive signal – only carried out cynical strikes on civilian targets and killed dozens of our people,” he said.
“I thank the Prime Minister for his words of condolences to the families and loved ones of the victims,” Zelensky added.
He further said that both leaders had “coordinated” their positions ahead of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit, while also discussing the holding of a meeting of the Joint Intergovernmental Commission. “I will be glad to meet the Prime Minister in the near future,” Zelensky stated.
The conversation between the two leaders comes days after Zelensky said that Kyiv was counting on India's contribution to end the war with Russia.
In his reply to PM Modi's greetings on on Ukraine's Independence Day, Zelensky posted on X, “Thank you, Prime Minister @narendramodi, for the warm greetings on Ukraine's Independence Day. We appreciate India's dedication to peace and dialogue.”
The Ukrainian President also shared a letter from PM Modi along with the post. “Every decision that strengthens diplomacy leads to better security not only in Europe, but also in the Indo-Pacific and beyond,” Zelensky said.
In his letter to Zelensky, Modi had thanked Zelensky for his message and “kind wishes” on India's Independence Day, while also extending greetings to Kyiv.
“I warmly recall my visit to Kyiv in August last year, and note the progress in the India-Ukraine bilateral relations since then,” Modi said, adding that he looks forward to working with Zelensky to strengthen both countries' “mutually beneficial cooperation”.
Highlighting that India had always stood on the side of peace, he said that the country would extend “all possible support” for seeking an early and peaceful resolution of the Ukraine conflict through “dialogue and diplomacy.”