Zelenskyy urges Modi to convey ‘appropriate message’ to Putin to end Ukraine war

By Anjali Sharma

WASHINGTON – Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday held a phone conversation with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, thanked Zelenskyy for his call, Modi said that India “extends full support to all efforts in this direction.”.

The call came ahead of Modi’s scheduled meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Summit in China.

They discussed the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict, humanitarian concerns, and efforts to restore peace.

“Thank President Zelenskyy for his phone call today. We exchanged views on the ongoing conflict, its humanitarian aspects, and efforts to restore peace and stability. India extends full support to all efforts in this direction,” Modi wrote on X.

Zelenskyy shared details of the conversation on X, stated that he briefed Modi about his recent discussions in Washington with US President Donald Trump and European leaders.

He described those talks as “productive and important,” with a “shared vision among partners on how to achieve real peace,” Zelenskyy reiterated Ukraine’s readiness to meet Putin to resolve the conflict.

“I informed [Prime Minister Modi] about the talks with President Trump in Washington, which also involved European leaders. It was a productive and important conversation, reflecting a shared vision among partners on how to achieve real peace. Ukraine reaffirmed its readiness for a meeting with the head of Russia,” he said.

Zelenskyy accused Moscow of showing no intent for dialogue and continuing attacks on civilian areas.

“Almost two weeks have passed, and during this time, when Russia should have been preparing for diplomacy, Moscow has given no positive signal—only carried out cynical strikes on civilian targets and killed dozens of our people. I thank the Prime Minister for his words of condolences to the families and loved ones of the victims,” Zelenskyy said.

He asserted that “the end of this war must begin with an immediate ceasefire,” Zelenskyy expressed hope that India would deliver the appropriate message to Russia and other countries during the SCO Summit.

“India is ready to make the necessary efforts and to deliver the appropriate signal to Russia and other leaders during the meetings on the sidelines of the summit,” he added.

They discussed India-Ukraine bilateral relations, preparations for exchange visits, and the convening of a meeting of the Joint Intergovernmental Commission.