PM Modi speaks to Zelenskyy, offers India's help in peaceful resolution of Ukraine war

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy discuss the latest developments in the ongoing conflict, India's approach to resolving it and opportunities to expand cooperation across multiple sectors.

In Short

• PM Modi speaks to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy over the phone
• Zelenskyy shares his perspective on recent developments in the ongoing conflict
• Modi reiterates India's position that the conflict must end through dialogue

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday spoke to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and reiterated India's readiness to contribute to efforts aimed at a peaceful resolution of the war with Russia. The two leaders also discussed the ongoing conflict, recent diplomatic developments and ways to strengthen bilateral cooperation.

During the telephone conversation, Modi reaffirmed India's consistent position that the conflict must be resolved through dialogue and diplomacy. He also reiterated India's human-centric approach and conveyed New Delhi's readiness to contribute to all efforts aimed at ending the war.

In a post on X after the conversation, Zelenskyy said he had briefed Modi on the latest diplomatic developments and preparations for an upcoming meeting in Abu Dhabi.

“We are actively preparing on every item on the agenda for the meeting in Abu Dhabi. Ukraine has always taken a constructive approach, and Russia must show the same readiness to de-escalate,” Zelenskyy said.

He also referred to Modi's repeated calls for an end to the war, including during his conversations with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

“The Prime Minister has said more than once, including directly to the Russian leader, that now is the time to end the war, not to continue it,” the Ukrainian President said.

ZELENSKYY SEEKS INDIA'S HELP ON FOOD CORRIDORS

Zelenskyy said the two leaders discussed the steps India could take and the diplomatic engagement it could pursue with other world leaders to help end the conflict. He also brought up the issue of food security and Russia's blockade of grain exports through the Black Sea.

“It is important that India identify what steps it can take and what dialogue it can pursue with other leaders to help bring the war to an end. Food security could be one such area,” he said.

Claiming that Russia's actions were disrupting grain exports through the Black Sea, Zelenskyy said India was ready to mediate in establishing food corridors.

“India is ready to mediate in establishing food corridors, and we are counting on these efforts to continue,” he added.

He also warned that restrictions on maritime routes were hurting the global economy and affecting hundreds of millions of people worldwide.

“Russia must understand that the global economy and hundreds of millions of people around the world are suffering because of blocked sea routes,” Zelenskyy said.

The Ukrainian President added that both countries had agreed to keep their teams in touch on the issue and other bilateral matters.

MODI, ZELENSKYY DISCUSS STRENGTHENING BILATERAL TIES

According to a statement issued by the Prime Minister's Office (PMO), Zelenskyy shared his perspective on recent developments related to the ongoing conflict during the conversation.

The two leaders also discussed measures to further strengthen India-Ukraine bilateral cooperation across various sectors for the mutual benefit of their people.

In a separate post on X, Modi described the conversation as productive and said the two leaders had reviewed their wide-ranging bilateral cooperation.

“Glad to have had a productive telephone conversation with President Zelenskyy. We reviewed our wide-ranging bilateral cooperation and agreed to further strengthen India-Ukraine ties,” the Prime Minister said.

Modi also thanked Zelenskyy for sharing his perspective on the ongoing conflict, its humanitarian aspects and efforts to restore peace.

“I thanked President Zelenskyy for sharing his perspectives on the ongoing conflict, its humanitarian aspects and various efforts to restore peace. Reiterated India's firm commitment to contributing in every possible way towards a peaceful resolution,” he added.

ZELENSKYY, PUTIN HAVE EARLIER SPOKEN ABOUT INDIA'S ROLE

Zelenskyy's latest remarks come months after he expressed hope that India would contribute to ending the war with Russia.

In August, the Ukrainian President said Kyiv was counting on India's contribution to ending the conflict and appreciated New Delhi's commitment to peace and dialogue.

“Now, as the entire world strives to end this horrible war with dignity and lasting peace, we count on India's contribution,” Zelenskyy had said.

In October, Russian President Vladimir Putin also spoke about Modi's efforts to encourage a settlement, saying the Indian Prime Minister had “very good ideas” on resolving the Ukraine conflict.

Putin said Modi regularly raised the issue of ending the war during their meetings, despite the two countries sharing friendly relations.

“As for Prime Minister Modi's position on ending wars, I can say that he is one of those world leaders who, despite our very good, even friendly relations, including at the personal level, constantly raises the issue and asks questions about ending the conflict in Ukraine,” Putin said.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov had also said that India had expressed its readiness to make a feasible contribution to resolving the Ukraine conflict.

Peskov said Russia was grateful to New Delhi for its willingness and the ideas it had put forward.

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