India’s Prime Minister urges Zelenskiy to engage in negotiations with Russia in Kyiv

Narendra Modi, the Prime Minister of India, exhorted President Volodymyr Zelenskiy to engage in negotiations with Russia in order to resolve the conflict in Ukraine. He also extended an offer to serve as a friend to assist in the establishment of peace during their meeting in wartime Kyiv.

The initial visit by an Indian prime minister to Ukraine in modern history occurred during a precarious period in the conflict initiated by Russia in February 2022. Kyiv is pursuing a cross-border incursion, while Moscow is making gradual progress in eastern Ukraine.

The optics were strikingly similar to the Indian leader’s visit to Moscow last month, during which he embraced Russian President Vladimir Putin and called for peace. This action incited outrage in Ukraine, where a Russian missile strike struck a children’s hospital on the same day.

“Dialogue and diplomacy are the sole means of achieving a resolution.” Additionally, it is imperative that we proceed in that direction without delay. Modi stated in Kyiv that both parties should convene to devise a solution to this crisis.

“I would like to reassure you that India is prepared to participate actively in any endeavors to promote peace.” He stated, “I will personally participate in any capacity that is possible, as a friend.”

It was not immediately apparent what Kyiv thought of his comments or whether they were part of a diplomatic effort that was being conducted behind closed doors in anticipation of the upcoming November presidential election in the United States, a close ally of Ukraine.

Zelenskiy stated in his routine address to the nation on Friday that it is “critical to us that India continues to uphold international law and defends our sovereignty and territorial integrity” following the conclusion of the visit.

Additionally, he expressed his gratitude for Modi’s decision to commence the visit by paying tribute to the children who lost their lives during the July hospital strike.

India has publicly condemned the deaths of innocent individuals in the conflict, despite its traditional close economic and defense relations with Moscow. However, it has also fortified its economic ties with Moscow.

During their meeting, both leaders referred to Modi’s visit as “historic” in their statements. Modi was the second speaker, and Zelenskiy was unable to respond to the demand for dialogue.

According to Zelenskiy, Ukraine’s primary concern is the conclusion of the conflict and the establishment of a fair peace.

Ukraine has consistently expressed its desire for the conflict to conclude, but on Kyiv’s terms rather than Russia’s. Ukraine has been advocating for the organization of a second international summit later this year in order to further its vision of peace and to include representatives from Russia.

The initial summit, which took place in Switzerland in June, intentionally precluded Russia. Despite this, it attracted a significant number of delegations, including one from India. However, China, the world’s second-largest economy, was not represented. Zelenskiy encouraged Modi to sign the communique of the summit, a request that India has yet to fulfill.

Sergei Lavrov, the Russian Foreign Minister, declared on Monday that negotiations were not feasible following Ukraine’s incursion into Russia’s Kursk region on August 6.

According to military analysts, the assault’s seizure of nearly 100 settlements by Kyiv’s top commander is part of an effort to divert Russian troops from eastern Ukraine, where Moscow’s forces are making progress.

‘CERTAIN IMPACT’

Zelenskiy was compelled to criticize Modi when the Indian prime minister’s visit to Moscow coincided with the missile strike that struck a children’s hospital in Kyiv.

Zelenskiy embraced Modi with a frowning expression as he greeted him to the Mariinskyi presidential palace in Kyiv before they commenced discussions. In a post that was written in Ukrainian, Modi expressed his reiterated condolences regarding the missile strike on X.

“Young children are particularly vulnerable to the devastating effects of conflict.” The post expressed sympathy for the families of the children who perished and prayed that they would be able to withstand their grief.

Mykhailo Podolyak, a counsel in Zelenskiy’s office, informed Reuters that the visit was significant because New Delhi “really has a certain influence” over Moscow in the lead-up to it.

“It’s extremely important for us to effectively build relations with such countries, to explain to them what the correct end to the war is – and that it is also in their interests,” said the president.

India has strengthened its economic relationships with Russia as a result of the sanctions and trade restrictions that Western nations have implemented in response to the invasion.

Since the deployment of Russian troops into Ukraine two and a half years ago, Indian refineries, which had previously purchased Russian oil infrequently, have become Moscow’s primary customers for seaborne petroleum. India imports more than two-thirds of its oil from Russia.