Will do whatever possible to end Ukraine war: PM Modi to President Zelenskyy

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, speaking to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy face to face for the first time since Russia’s invasion of the latter’s country, told him on Saturday (May 20) that India would do whatever is possible to find a solution to the conflict.

The two leaders met on the sidelines of the G7 summit in Hiroshima, where India is a guest this year. Modi said the war in Ukraine, which has been raging for 15 months already, is a “very big issue” for the whole world and that it has had many different impacts on the globe.

Modi told Zelenskyy that he does not see the situation in Ukraine as a political or economic issue and that for him it is an issue of humanity and human values. “I wish to assure you that India and I, in my personal capacity, will do whatever is possible to find a solution to this (conflict),” Modi said in his opening remarks at the talks.

On his part, Zelenskyy briefed the Indian side in detail on his peace formula and urged New Delhi to join in its implementation.

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Modi’s tweet

In a tweet, Modi said he conveyed to the Ukrainian leader India’s “clear support” for dialogue and diplomacy to find a way forward and that New Delhi will continue extending humanitarian assistance to the people of Ukraine.

Met President @ZelenskyyUa in Hiroshima. Conveyed our clear support for dialogue and diplomacy to find a way forward. We will continue extending humanitarian assistance to the people of Ukraine. pic.twitter.com/1srbIIJUB3

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 20, 2023

Since the Ukraine conflict began in February last year, Modi has spoken to Russian President Vladimir Putin, as well as Zelenskyy, several times, during which he has insisted that the conflict should be resolved through dialogue and diplomacy.

“Over the past one and a half years, we have spoken on the phone but … after a long time, we have an opportunity to meet. The war in Ukraine is a very big issue for the whole world. It has had many different impacts on the whole world,” Modi said.

“But I don’t see this as a political or economic issue. For me, this is an issue of humanity, an issue of human values,” he said.

“You know more than any of us what is the suffering of war but when our students came back from Ukraine last year, the description of the circumstances they gave then, I could understand the pain felt by you and Ukrainian citizens,” Modi said.

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Zelenskyy thanks India

In his remarks, Zelenskyy thanked India for supporting the “territorial integrity and sovereignty” of his country and providing humanitarian aid. He also spoke about Ukraine’s need for mobile hospitals.

The meeting between Modi and Zelenskyy came a day after leaders of the G7 countries resolved to stand against Russia’s “illegal, unjustifiable, and unprovoked” invasion of Ukraine and unveiled new sanctions on Moscow.

The Ukrainian president has been trying to drum up support from key countries around the world as Ukrainian forces are preparing a major counteroffensive against Russia.

The Indian delegation at the talks included External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and National Security Adviser Ajit Doval.

The Modi-Zelenskyy meeting took place over a month after Ukrainian First Deputy Foreign Minister Emine Dzhaparova visited India. During her visit, Dzhaparova handed over a letter to the Minister of State for External Affairs, Meenakshi Lekhi. The letter was written to Prime Minister Modi by President Zelenskyy.

In a phone conversation with President Zelenskyy on October 4 last year, Modi said there can be “no military solution” and that India is ready to contribute to any peace efforts.

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India’s stand

At a bilateral meeting with Russian President Putin on September 16 last year in the Uzbek city of Samarkand, Modi said, “Today’s era is not of war” and nudged the Russian leader to end the conflict. However, India has not yet condemned the Russian invasion of Ukraine and it has been maintaining that the crisis must be resolved through diplomacy and dialogue.

In New Delhi, Dzhaparova had said India is a global leader and can help address key global challenges and promote peace, including in her country.

The prime minister landed in Hiroshima on Friday to attend the annual summit of the G7 group in the first leg of his three-nation tour that will also take him to Papua New Guinea and Australia.

The Ukrainian president is also attending the G7 summit following an invitation by Japan, the current chair of the powerful grouping.

The group of seven, comprising the US, France, the UK, Italy, Germany, Canada, and Japan, represent the world’s richest democracies. Under its G7 presidency, Japan invited India and seven other countries to the summit as guests.

(With agency inputs)