India committed to peaceful resolution in Ukraine: PM Narendra Modi

In phone call, Zelenskyy tells PM that it is necessary to limit export of Russian energy

In a telephone call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Monday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi reaffirmed India’s commitment for a peaceful settlement of the Russia-Ukraine conflict. The two leaders reviewed progress in the India-Ukraine bilateral partnership and discussed ways to further enhance cooperation in areas of mutual interest, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said. 

This comes on the heels of Modi’s conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday, where the two had agreed to deepen India-Russia ties. The Modi-Putin call took place two days after US President Donald Trump signed an executive order to impose a 25 per cent penalty on India for its purchase of Russian crude oil. 

Putin and Trump are set for a summit meeting in Alaska on August 15. “This meeting holds the promise of bringing to an end the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and opening up the prospects for peace,” the MEA said. 

 

After his call with Modi, Zelenskyy said: “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… It is important that every leader who has tangible leverage over Russia sends the corresponding signals to Moscow.” 

He added, “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”. 

Modi wrote on social media: “Glad to speak with 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. “India remains committed to making every possible contribution in this regard,” he added.