After concluding his visit to Poland, Indian Prime Minister Modi embarked on a historic visit to Ukraine on Friday, August 23. He met with President Zelensky and urged both Russia and Ukraine to sit down for negotiations to end the ongoing two-and-a-half-year conflict. Modi also expressed his readiness to personally play a role in achieving peace.
The two leaders embraced and shook hands in Kyiv, initiating one-on-one meetings and delegation-level talks focused on negotiating a resolution to the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
Modi expressed his willingness to assist in achieving peace between Russia and Ukraine as a friend.
This visit marks the first time an Indian Prime Minister has visited Ukraine since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1992. Just six weeks ago, Modi visited Russia to discuss the Russia-Ukraine conflict situation. Modi conveyed to Putin that the Russia-Ukraine issue cannot be resolved on the battlefield.
Currently, there are no signs indicating a swift end to the Russia-Ukraine war. Russian forces are slowly advancing in eastern Ukraine, while Ukrainian forces launched a lightning offensive in the Kursk region on August 6, claiming the occupation of nearly 100 settlements. Military analysts believe this move aims to shift Russian troops away from eastern Ukraine.
Modi arrived in Ukraine with a message of peace, emphasizing the need for both sides to find a negotiated solution to the crisis.
“Dialogue and diplomacy are the only ways to find a path to resolution. We should move in this direction and not waste time,” Modi said. “Both sides should sit down and find a way out of this crisis.”
“I assure you that India is ready to play an active role in any peace efforts. I want to assure you as a friend that if I can play any role personally, I will,” he added.
Both Modi and Zelensky praised the visit as having historical significance in a joint statement.
The two leaders expressed intention to elevate bilateral relations from a comprehensive partnership to a strategic partnership in the future. Prime Minister Modi and President Zelensky reiterated their willingness to further cooperate in upholding principles of international law, including the United Nations Charter, respecting national territorial integrity, and sovereignty.
Zelensky stated in his remarks, “Ending the war and achieving a just peace are Ukraine’s top priorities.”
Ukraine has repeatedly stated its desire to end the war but on conditions they set, not Russia’s. Ukraine has been pushing for a second international summit to advance its peace vision later this year and has invited Russian representatives to participate.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov stated on Monday that negotiations cannot take place following Ukraine’s invasion of the Kursk region in western Russia.
(This article references reports from Reuters and New Delhi TV.)