Days before a likely meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin on the sidelines of the SCO Summit in Tianjin, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Tuesday said Kyiv was relying on “India’s contribution” to end the war with Russia.
While thanking PM Modi for his greetings on their Independence Day, Zelenskyy also said that Ukraine appreciates India’s dedication 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 said in a post on X on Tuesday, also posting a letter he received from PM Modi on August 24.
PM Modi is set to be in China for the SCO Summit on August 31 and September 1, to be hosted by President Xi Jinping, which will also be attended by the Russian President alongside leaders from Central Asia, South Asia, the Middle East and Southeast Asia.
“Every decision that strengthens diplomacy leads to better security not only in Europe, but also in the Indo-Pacific and beyond,” Zelenskyy said on Tuesday.
In the letter, PM Modi thanked the Ukrainian president for his “thoughtful message” and “kind wishes” on India’s Independence Day. Recalling his visit to Kyiv in August last year, Modi said he looked forward to strengthening “our mutually beneficial cooperation”.
“I also take this opportunity to extend my greetings to you and the people of Ukraine on the occasion of your Independence Day. I warmly recall my visit to Kyiv in August last year, and note the progress in the India-Ukraine bilateral relations since then. I look forward to working with you to further strengthen our mutually beneficial cooperation,” Modi wrote in the letter.
Story continues below this ad
Modi said India has always stood on the side of peace and remains committed to “extending all possible support for sincere efforts seeking an early, abiding and peaceful resolution of the conflict through dialogue and diplomacy”.
India has regularly maintained that dialogue and diplomacy are the way forward and that solutions cannot be found on the battlefield — something PM Modi had conveyed to Putin and Zelenskyy last year during his visits to Moscow and Kyiv.
New Delhi had also welcomed the Alaska summit between US President Donald Trump and Putin towards ending the Russia-Ukraine war on August 15, calling their leadership in the pursuit of peace highly commendable.
In a statement, India’s Ministry of External Affairs praised the progress made in the talks and reiterated that dialogue and diplomacy remain the only path forward. The ministry added that the world is looking for an early end to the conflict in Ukraine.
Story continues below this ad
On August 16, Prime Minister Modi had wished the people of Ukraine a future marked by peace and progress as he thanked Zelenskyy for his Independence Day wishes. Wishing India on its Independence Day on August 15, Zelenskyy said he hoped New Delhi would contribute to efforts aimed at ending the war with Russia.
