Indian PM Modi visits Ukraine, meets president Zelensky

KYIV,— India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi called for direct negotiations between Ukraine and Russia to end the ongoing conflict as he visited Kyiv on Friday.

Modi, making the first trip by an Indian leader to Ukraine in contemporary history, proposed that India act as a mediator to facilitate peace discussions.

The visit comes at a critical time in the war, which began when Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022. Moscow has been advancing slowly in eastern Ukraine, while Kyiv has continued its efforts to push back, including a recent cross-border incursion.

During Modi’s visit, Ukraine and India strengthened their partnership by signing four key agreements.

Modi’s trip to Kyiv echoes his recent visit to Moscow, where he advocated for peace and met with Russian President Vladimir Putin. That visit had drawn criticism from Ukraine, particularly as it coincided with a tragic missile strike on a children’s hospital in Kyiv.

During his visit, Modi emphasized the need for dialogue to resolve the conflict. “The path to resolution lies in dialogue and diplomacy. We must pursue this direction without delay. Both sides need to come together to find a resolution,” Modi stated in Kyiv. He further assured, “India is ready to play an active role in any peace efforts. I am prepared to contribute personally, as a friend.”

It remains unclear how Ukraine will respond to Modi’s statements or if they will influence ongoing diplomatic efforts, especially with the upcoming U.S. presidential election, which could impact Ukraine’s international support.

In his address following the meeting, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky underscored the importance of international law and support for Ukraine’s sovereignty. He acknowledged Modi’s gesture of paying respects to the victims of the missile attack on the children’s hospital.

India, known for its strong economic and defense ties with Russia, has publicly condemned the civilian casualties caused by the war while simultaneously enhancing its economic relations with Moscow. Both Modi and Zelensky described the visit as “historic,” although it was noted that Zelensky did not have the opportunity to respond directly to Modi’s call for dialogue.

Zelensky reiterated that achieving a just peace and ending the war remain top priorities for Ukraine. Ukraine has been adamant about reaching a resolution on its own terms, not Russia’s. The Ukrainian government is planning to host a second international summit later this year aimed at advancing its peace proposals and involving Russian representatives.

The first summit, held in Switzerland in June, notably excluded Russia but saw participation from numerous delegations, including one from India. However, China, a major global economic player, did not attend. Zelensky had hoped Modi would sign the summit’s final communiqué, but India has not yet committed to doing so.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov dismissed the possibility of talks following Ukraine’s incursion into Russia’s Kursk region on August 6. Kyiv’s top military officials have reported capturing nearly 100 settlements in this offensive, which analysts suggest could be an effort to shift Russian forces from eastern Ukraine, where Moscow has been making incremental progress.

Modi’s prior visit to Moscow had drawn criticism from Zelensky, especially as it coincided with the missile strike on the children’s hospital. Upon welcoming Modi to the Mariinskyi Presidential Palace in Kyiv, Zelensky greeted him with a stern expression before their discussions began.

Modi later expressed his condolences for the missile strike in a post on social media, writing in Ukrainian, “Conflict is particularly devastating for young children. My heart goes out to the families of the children who lost their lives, and I pray they find strength in their grief.”

Ahead of the visit, Mykhailo Podolyak, an advisor to Zelensky, emphasized the significance of India’s influence over Russia. “It is crucial for us to engage with influential nations like India to explain our vision for ending the war—one that aligns with their interests as well,” Podolyak said.

While Western countries have imposed sanctions on Russia and curtailed trade, India has strengthened its economic ties with Moscow. Indian refiners, once minimal buyers of Russian oil, have become key clients for Moscow’s seaborne crude, with Russian oil now accounting for over 40% of India’s oil imports.

(With files from Reuters)