Modi discusses Kyiv visit with Putin, calls for early resolution of conflict

The Kremlin said Putin gave a “fundamental assessment of the destructive line of the Kyiv authorities and their Western patrons, outlining key Russian approaches to ways to resolve the conflict”.

After the phone call, Modi, in a post on X, said, “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.”

A statement by the Prime Minister’s Office said Modi “recalled his successful visit to Russia last month to participate in the 22nd India-Russia Bilateral Summit”.

He had visited Moscow on July 8-9 where he met Putin and told him that “solutions can’t be found on the battlefield”.

The PMO statement said, “The two leaders exchanged views on the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict. PM 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 two leaders reviewed progress on a number of bilateral issues and discussed measures to further strengthen the Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership between India and Russia, it said.

“They also exchanged views on a range of regional and global issues of mutual interest,” it said, adding that they agreed to remain in touch.

A statement from the Kremlin said, “Narendra Modi informed about his recent visit to Kyiv, emphasising his interest in contributing to a possible political and diplomatic settlement of the situation around Ukraine.”

Marking a historic milestone in India’s diplomacy in Europe which has been roiled by the Russia-Ukraine war, Modi met President Zelenskyy in Kyiv on August 23 and asked him to sit with Putin to “find a way out of the crisis”.

Zelenskyy, on his part, had said that he needed India on his side and “not balancing between US and Russia”, and proposed that India could be a possible venue for a peace summit, which New Delhi is said to be to be looking at.

Modi, who reached Kyiv on the Rail Force One train from Poland after talks in Warsaw, had told Zelenskyy at the Mariinsky Palace that “the road to resolution can only be found through dialogue and diplomacy” and “we should move in that direction without wasting any time”.

On Tuesday, the Kremlin statement said Modi and Putin also discussed issues of “practical implementation of agreements in the trade and economic sphere reached following the July official visit of the Prime Minister of India to Russia. Satisfaction was expressed with the level of interaction between the two countries in BRICS.”

It said Modi “confirmed his readiness to take part in the summit of the association held under the Russian chairmanship in Kazan in October of this year. It was agreed to continue bilateral contacts at various levels”.

The White House statement on the Modi-Biden call on Monday said that they discussed the “Prime Minister’s recent trip to Poland and Ukraine, as well as the United Nations General Assembly meetings in September”.

“The (US) President commended the Prime Minister for his historic visits to Poland and Ukraine, the first by an Indian Prime Minister in decades, and for his message of peace and ongoing humanitarian support for Ukraine, including its energy sector. The Leaders affirmed their continued support for a peaceful resolution of the conflict in accordance with international law, on the basis of the UN Charter,” the White House said.

It said that the leaders also “emphasised their continued commitment to work together, including through regional groups like the Quad, to contribute to peace and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific”.