Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy spoke by telephone on Saturday ahead of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit, exchanging views on the Russia-Ukraine conflict and underlining the need to restore peace.
Modi, who will arrive in China on Sunday for the summit, said India remained committed to supporting all international efforts aimed at ending hostilities. “Thank you, President Zelenskyy, for his phone call today. We exchanged views on the ongoing conflict, its humanitarian aspects, and efforts to restore peace and stability. India extends full support to all efforts in this direction,” Modi posted on X.
Zelenskyy said he had briefed the Indian leader on his talks with President Donald Trump in Washington, alongside European partners, and reaffirmed Ukraine’s readiness for dialogue with Russia despite continuing missile strikes. “It was a productive and important conversation, a shared vision among partners on how to achieve real peace. Ukraine reaffirmed its readiness for a meeting with the head of Russia,” he noted.
He underscored Moscow’s unwillingness to engage diplomatically. “Almost two weeks have passed, and during this time, when Russia should have been preparing for diplomacy, Moscow has given no positive signal, only carried out cynical strikes on civilian targets and killed dozens of our people,” Zelenskyy said.
Expressing gratitude for India’s stance, he added: “We coordinated our positions ahead of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit. The end of this war must begin with an immediate ceasefire, with the necessary silence. This position is understood and supported by everyone. It is impossible to speak meaningfully about peace while our cities and communities are under constant fire.”
Also read: Zelenskyy picks Olga Stefanishyna as ambassador to US
Zelenskyy also indicated that India was prepared to play a role during the SCO summit in delivering “the appropriate signal to Russia and other leaders”. He said: “India is ready to make the necessary efforts and to deliver the appropriate signal to Russia and other leaders during the meetings on the sidelines of the summit. Thank you.”
Alongside conflict-related issues, the two leaders reviewed bilateral relations, including preparations for a Joint Intergovernmental Commission and the possibility of high-level visits. “We also discussed our bilateral relations, preparations for the exchange of visits, and the holding of a meeting of the Joint Intergovernmental Commission. There is potential we can realise. I will be glad to meet the Prime Minister in the near future,” Zelenskyy said.
This was their second conversation in August. Modi had earlier reiterated India’s “steadfast and consistent position” on a peaceful settlement during a 11 August call, according to a Ministry of External Affairs statement.
The SCO summit, which Modi will attend in Tianjin, comes against the backdrop of global trade turbulence and high tariffs imposed by the United States. He is expected to hold bilateral meetings with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin on the sidelines.
Follow us
