Zelensky dials PM, seeks support ahead of Trump-Putin meet | India News
NEW DELHI: PM Narendra Modi and Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy spoke Monday as efforts to end the Russia-Ukraine war gained momentum ahead of President Trump’s meeting with Russia’s Vladimir Putin in Alaska. As India faces US sanctions for Russian oil imports, Modi had spoken to Putin last week and called for conflict resolution through political and diplomatic means.While Modi reaffirmed India’s “steadfast and consistent” position for peaceful settlement of the conflict and backed efforts for earliest restoration of peace, Zelensky told him it’s necessary to limit the export of Russian energy to reduce its potential and ability to finance this war.Zelensky said he and Modi planned a personal meeting in Sept on UNGA sidelines in New York. India has not officially said Modi will be visiting the US in Sept. However, the PM is listed as one of the speakers at the upcoming General Assembly session.“It is important that every leader who has tangible leverage over Russia sends the corresponding signals to Moscow,” said Zelensky.He also said that he discussed in detail the sanctions against Russia during the “long” conversation. There was no mention of sanctions in the Indian statement that only said Zelensky briefed Modi about Ukraine-related developments and Modi thanked him.The president’s office said Modi backed Ukraine’s efforts to achieve a just and lasting peace and shared Zelensky’s position that everything concerning Ukraine must be decided with Ukraine’s participation. Reports from Washington have said that the White House is considering inviting Zelensky to the Trump-Putin meeting.Modi himself said he conveyed India’s consistent position on the need for an early and peaceful resolution of the conflict. “India remains committed to making every possible contribution in this regard, as well as to further strengthening bilateral ties with Ukraine,” he said on X.Zelensky’s talks with Modi took place amid the former’s efforts to mobilise international support for more pressure on Putin, and not allow concessions to the “killer”. Zelensky has stressed that Ukraine won’t give up land even as Trump says there will be some swapping of territories.Along with China, India remains one of the few major countries that have not condemned Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and has maintained that for any peace initiative to succeed, it’s important to engage both sides. During his visit to Ukraine last year, Modi called for sincere and practical engagement between all stakeholders to develop innovative solutions that would have broad acceptability and contribute towards early restoration of peace.
