India on Putin’s list of nations that can mediate Russia-Ukraine peace talks

“We respect our friends and partners, who I believe are genuinely working towards resolving this conflict, particularly China, Brazil, and India. I am in constant contact with my colleagues on this matter,” Putin was quoted as saying by TASS.

Putin added that Russia has never been opposed to peace talks, citing the negotiations that occurred during the early weeks of the conflict in 2022.

“Are we ready to negotiate with them? We have never refused this, but not on the basis of some ephemeral demands, but on the basis of those documents that were agreed and virtually initiated in Istanbul,” said Putin, as per news agency Reuters.

In a separate statement, Russian Presidential Spokesman Dmitry Peskov told Izvestia daily that India could play a role in facilitating dialogue on Ukraine.

Highlighting the “highly constructive, even friendly relations” between PM Modi and Putin, Peskov noted that the Indian Prime Minister can “receive first-hand information from those directly involved in the conflict,” as he “freely communicates with Putin, Zelenskyy, and the Americans.” Peskov emphasised that this positions India to use its influence to encourage the US and Ukraine to adopt greater political will and move towards peace talks. However, he added that there are currently “no specific plans” for PM Modi to mediate in the conflict.

“At this point, such plans are unlikely to emerge, as we do not see any conditions conducive to talks at the moment,” the Kremlin spokesman said.

During his visit to Ukraine on 23 August, PM Modi urged President Zelenskyy to engage in direct talks with Russia, emphasising that both nations should not delay in seeking an end to the war. He reaffirmed that India is ready to take an “active role” in restoring peace in the region.

Modi’s nearly nine-hour visit to Ukraine, the first by an Indian prime minister since the country gained independence in 1991, followed his summit with President Putin six weeks earlier, a meeting that raised concerns in some Western countries.

In his discussions with Zelenskyy in Kyiv, PM Modi reiterated that India has supported peace from the start of the conflict and expressed his willingness to contribute personally to finding a peaceful resolution.

(With inputs from PTI)