New Delhi, Aug 11 (PTI) India remains committed to making every possible contribution for an early and peaceful solution to the Ukraine conflict, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday conveyed this to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, days ahead of a much-anticipated US-Russia summit on the war.
Modi held a phone conversation with Zelenskyy, three days after he spoke to Russian President Vladimir Putin and exchanged views on the conflict.
In a social media post, Zelenskyy complimented Modi’s support to the peace efforts, but called for limiting the export of Russian energy to reduce Moscow’s ability to “finance” the continuation of the war, which is being seen as an indirect reference to New Delhi’s continued procurement of crude oil from Russia.
The phone conversation came ahead of the summit talks between US President Donald Trump and Putin in Alaska on August 15 to discuss ways to end the war.
“Glad to speak with President Zelenskyy and hear his perspectives on recent developments. I conveyed India’s consistent position on the need for an early and peaceful resolution of the conflict,” Modi said on ‘X’.
“India remains committed to making every possible contribution in this regard, as well as to further strengthening bilateral ties with Ukraine,” he said.
Last week, India welcomed the Russia-US summit and reaffirmed Prime Minister Modi’s consistent position that it is not an “era of war”.
The prime minister thanked President Zelenskyy and reaffirmed India’s “steadfast and consistent” position for peaceful settlement of the conflict and support for efforts aimed at earliest restoration of peace, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said.
It said PM Modi reiterated 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 areas of mutual interest,” the MEA said, adding they agreed to remain in touch.
Following the phone talks, the Ukrainian president said he discussed “in detail” all important issues with Modi that included both of “bilateral cooperation and the overall diplomatic situation”.
“I am grateful to the Prime Minister for his warm words of support for our people,” he said in a social media post.
“It is important that India is supporting our peace efforts and shares the position that everything concerning Ukraine must be decided with Ukraine’s participation. Other formats will not deliver results,” the Ukrainian president said.
Zelenskyy also noted that it is necessary to “limit the export of Russian energy”, particularly oil.
“We also discussed in detail the sanctions against Russia. I noted that it is necessary to limit the export of Russian energy, particularly oil, to reduce its potential and ability to finance the continuation of this war,” he said.
“It is important that every leader who has tangible leverage over Russia sends the corresponding signals to Moscow,” he added.
India turned to purchasing Russian oil sold at a discount after Western countries imposed sanctions on Moscow and shunned its supplies over its invasion of Ukraine in February, 2022.
Consequently, from a mere 1.7 per cent share in total oil imports in 2019-20, Russia’s share increased to 35.1 per cent in 2024-25, and it is now the biggest oil supplier to India.
The Ukrainian president also dropped hints at PM Modi’s possible visit to New York next month to participate in the UN General Assembly.
“We agreed to plan a personal meeting in September during the UN General Assembly and to work on an exchange of visits,” Zelenskyy said.
The Ukrainian president said he informed Modi about the Russian attacks on “Ukrainian cities and villages”, including Sunday’s strike on a bus station in Zaporizhzhia.
“And this is at a time when there is finally a diplomatic possibility to end the war. Instead of demonstrating readiness for a ceasefire, Russia is showing only its desire to continue the occupation and killings,” he said.
Zelenskyy’s office said PM Modi expressed support for Ukraine’s efforts to achieve a “just and lasting” peace.
India has been consistently calling for ending the Russia-Ukraine conflict through dialogue and diplomacy.
In July last year, PM Modi travelled to Moscow and told Putin that a solution to the Ukraine conflict is not possible on the battlefield and peace efforts do not succeed in the midst of bombs and bullets.
The next month, Modi visited the Ukranian capital city of Kyiv and conveyed to President Zelenskyy that both Ukraine and Russia should sit together without wasting time to end the war.
The prime minister had said India was on the side of peace since the beginning of the conflict. PTI MPB KVK KVK
Category: Breaking News
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