NEW DELHI, Aug 11: The Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday conveyed to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy that India remained committed to making every possible contribution for “an early and peaceful solution” to the Ukraine conflict.
The two leaders held a phone conversation that came ahead of a summit meeting between the US President Donald Trump and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin on the conflict. “Glad to speak with President Zelenskyy and hear his perspectives on recent developments…” the Prime Minister, who spoke to Mr Putin 72 hours earlier, said, adding that India looks forward to strengthening bilateral ties with Ukraine.
Simultaneously, Mr Zelenskyy – who has led his country’s diplomatic and military response since Russia’s invasion in February 2022 – posted a detailed note on his conversation with Mr Modi. But the standout point in his post was buried at the bottom. Mr Zelenskyy said he pointed out to Prime Minister Modi the “necessity to limit the export of Russian energy, particularly oil, to reduce its potential and ability to finance the continuation of this war.”
In a social media post, Mr Modi said he conveyed India’s consistent position on the need for an early and peaceful resolution of the conflict. “India remains committed to making every possible contribution in this regard, as well as to further strengthening bilateral ties with Ukraine,” he said.
On his part, the Ukrainian President said he discussed “in detail” all important issues with Modi that included both “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. “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,” he said.
Mr Zelenskyy said they agreed to plan a personal meeting in September during the U.N. General Assembly and to work on an exchange of visits. Mr Zelenskyy said he also told Mr Modi about Russia attacking urban facilities, including the Sunday attack on a bus station in Zaporizhzhia that injured dozens of people. “And this is at a time when there is finally a diplomatic possibility (i.e., the Alaska ‘peace’ talks scheduled for Friday) to end the war. (But) instead of demonstrating readiness for a ceasefire, Russia is showing only its desire to continue the occupation and killings,” he told the Prime Minister.
The choice of venue for the Trump – Putin talks – Moscow sold Alaska to Washington in 1867 – is as significant as Kyiv’s exclusion. A day after Trump said he was considering inviting Ukraine. Ukraine had also not been invited to ‘peace’ talks in Saudi Arabia in February.
The Ukraine leader therefore appealed to India to ensure that decisions taken at such talks were not imposed on his country. “It is important India supports our peace efforts and shares the position… that everything concerning Ukraine must be decided with our participation…”
India had supported the Alaska talks with the External Affairs Ministry stating last week that the meeting “holds the promise of bringing to an end the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and opening up the prospects for peace.”
(Manas Dasgupta)