'Exchanged Views On Russia-Ukraine Conflict': PM Modi Speaks To Putin, Reaffirms Peace Push Day After Biden Call

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had a telephonic conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday and shared insights from his recent visit to Ukraine. He also reiterated India’s stance on the Russia-Ukraine war.

The prime minister recalled his successful visit to Russia last month to participate in the 22nd India-Russia Bilateral Summit. The two leaders reviewed progress on several bilateral issues and discussed measures to further strengthen the Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership between India and Russia. They also exchanged views on regional and global issues of mutual interest.

The two leaders exchanged views on the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict. Prime Minister shared insights from his recent visit to Ukraine. He underlined the importance of dialogue and diplomacy as well as sincere and practical engagement between all stakeholders to achieve an abiding and peaceful resolution of the conflict. The duo agreed to remain in touch.

He wrote on X, “Spoke with President Putin today. Discussed measures to further strengthen Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership. Exchanged perspectives on the Russia-Ukraine conflict and my insights from the recent visit to Ukraine. Reiterated India’s firm commitment to support an early, abiding, and peaceful resolution of the conflict.”

PM Modi, who is being looked up to as a harbinger of peace between the war-torn countries, recently visited Russia and Ukraine.

Biden Commends Modi for His Message of Peace

On Monday, US President Joe Biden spoke to PM Modi over the phone and commended him for his “message of peace and ongoing humanitarian support” for Ukraine.

The prime minister’s visit to Kyiv on August 23 was seen in many quarters as a diplomatic balancing act as his trip to Russia last month triggered criticism from the Biden administration and anguish in some Western capitals.

During the visit, Modi told Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy that Ukraine and Russia should sit together to end the war and that India was ready to play an “active role” in restoring peace.

In a post non ‘X’, Biden said, “I spoke with Prime Minister Modi to discuss his recent trip to Poland and Ukraine, and commended him for his message of peace and ongoing humanitarian support for Ukraine.” “We also affirmed our commitment to working together to contribute to peace and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific,” said the US president.

This was the first call between the two leaders after Modi’s trip to Russia, Poland and Ukraine and the recent developments in Bangladesh.

What Zelenskyy After Modi’s Ukraine Visit

On Friday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he looked forward to visiting India as it can be a “key” in the global diplomatic efforts to end the war between his country and Russia.

The Ukrainian president was addressing the Indian media persons after the bilateral meeting when he also said, “Modi’s visit was historic,” and added: “I very much need your country on our side, not balancing between US and Russia.” Modi’s nearly nine-hour visit to Ukraine, the first by an Indian prime minister since its independence in 1991, came six weeks after he held summit talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin in July in Moscow.

During the bilateral talks, Modi had earlier told Zelenskyy that both Ukraine and Russia should sit together without wasting time to find ways to end the ongoing war and that India had been on the side of peace since the beginning of the conflict in February 2022.

PM Modi’s Russia Visit

Prime Minister Modi on July 8 began a high-profile visit to Russia to hold the 22nd India-Russia annual summit with President Vladimir Putin, in his first trip since the start of Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine.

The Ukraine conflict also came up during Modi’s talks with Putin. Modi told Putin that a solution to the Ukraine conflict is not possible on the battlefield and that peace talks do not succeed amidst bombs, guns and bullets. President Putin thanked Prime Minister Modi for trying to help find a peaceful solution to the Ukraine crisis.