In a significant diplomatic move, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Kyiv on Thursday, urging him to engage in peace talks with Russia to end the ongoing war. This marked the first visit by an Indian prime minister to Ukraine in modern history, occurring at a critical juncture in the conflict that has gripped the region since Russia’s invasion in February 2022.
During their meeting, Modi offered to act as a mediator and emphasized the importance of dialogue and diplomacy in resolving the crisis. “The road to resolution can only be found through dialogue and diplomacy,” Modi said. “Both sides should sit together to find a way out of this crisis. I want to assure you that India is ready to play an active role in any efforts towards peace. If I can play any role in this personally, I will do that, I want to assure you as a friend.”
Modi’s visit to Kyiv follows his recent trip to Moscow, where he also called for peace and embraced Russian President Vladimir Putin. This earlier visit had sparked anger in Ukraine, as it coincided with a Russian missile strike on a children’s hospital in Kyiv.
While both leaders described Modi’s visit as “historic,” it remains unclear how Kyiv views his call for dialogue. Zelensky reiterated Ukraine’s stance that the war must end on its own terms, not those dictated by Russia. “The matter of ending the war and a just peace are the priority for Ukraine,” Zelensky stated. However, he did not directly respond to Modi’s appeal for talks during the public portion of their meeting.
Ukraine has been pushing to hold a second international summit later this year to advance its vision of peace, with the first summit, held in Switzerland in June, excluding Russia. Zelensky urged Modi to sign the summit’s communique, a step that India has not yet taken.
Meanwhile, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov dismissed the possibility of talks, especially after Ukraine’s recent cross-border incursion into Russia’s Kursk region. Kyiv’s military efforts, which have seen the capture of nearly 100 settlements, are seen by analysts as an attempt to divert Russian forces from eastern Ukraine.
As Modi visited Kyiv, he expressed renewed condolences over the recent missile strike that hit the children’s hospital. In a post on social media, written in Ukrainian, he conveyed his sympathy to the families affected by the conflict, particularly those who lost children in the attack.
The visit highlights India’s delicate balancing act in its diplomatic relations, as it maintains strong economic and defense ties with Russia while navigating its role on the global stage. Indian refiners have become top clients for Russian oil, which now accounts for over two-fifths of India’s oil imports. As Western nations impose sanctions on Russia, India’s economic ties with Moscow have only deepened, adding complexity to its diplomatic engagements with Ukraine and other global players.