New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy hours after speaking to Russian President Vladimir Putin. The Prime Minister’s conversation with the two leaders comes in the backdrop of Putin’s reelection as President and no sign of a de-escalation in the Russia-Ukraine war. Sources told NDTV that the two leaders said they see India as a peacemaker.
Sources said both Zelenskyy and Putin have invited Prime Minister Modi to visit their countries after the Lok Sabha elections. Prime Minister Modi last visited Russia in 2018. Prime Minister Modi discussed ways to strengthen India-Ukraine partnership and reiterated the nation’s people-centric approach and calls for dialogue and diplomacy for the resolution of the ongoing conflict.
The Prime Minister said India would continue to do everything within its means to support a peaceful solution. Meanwhile, President Zelenskyy appreciated India’s continued humanitarian assistance to the people of Ukraine. The two leaders agreed to remain in touch.
In May last year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi met the Ukrainian President on the sidelines of the G7 summit in Japan’s Hiroshima. This was the first in-person meeting between the two leaders since the start of the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February last year.
Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi dialed Russian President Vladimir Putin, congratulating him again on his re-election to the top office. During their telephonic conversation, both leaders agreed to intensify efforts towards expanding the India-Russia ‘Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership’.
India has stressed diplomacy and discussion to resolve the conflict which began in February 2022 with Russia’s full-scale invasion. The Ministry of External Affairs in a press briefing said, “India desires that there be discussion, there be diplomacy, there be constant engagements so that both sides can come together and find peace.”
