Vladimir Putin, Volodymyr Zelenskyy invite Modi to Russia, Ukraine after LS polls 2024: Sources

By R. Anil Kumar

• In separate phone calls with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has stressed on dialogue and diplomacy as the way forward for resolving the ongoing conflict.

• This is the second time PM Modi has spoken with the leaders of the warring nations since the invasion of Ukraine by Russia in February 2022

• The Prime Minister’s conversation with the two leaders comes in the backdrop of Putin’s re-election as President and no sign of a de-escalation in the Russia-Ukraine war.

• Putin, Zelenskyy invite PM Modi after Elections: “See India as Peacemaker”

New Delhi, March 20. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on March 20, had separate phone calls with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, advocating for dialogue and diplomacy in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict.

PM Modi expressed India’s support for efforts towards a peaceful resolution. Putin and Zelenskyy invited Modi to their respective countries after the Lok Sabha elections.

Prime Minister Modi is seeking his third term in the upcoming general elections, scheduled to take place in seven phases from April 19 to June 1. Results of the Lok Sabha polls will be declared on June 4.

In a post on X (previously Twitter), PM Modi said he spoke to Putin and congratulated him on his re-election, and discussed ways to strengthen India’s partnerships with both Ukraine and Russia. “We agreed to work together to further deepen and expand India-Russia Special & Privileged Strategic Partnership in the years ahead,” Modi said in his post on X.

In another post, the Prime Minister said he spoke to Zelenskyy about strengthening the India-Ukraine partnership. “Conveyed India’s consistent support for all efforts for peace and bringing an early end to the ongoing conflict. India will continue to provide humanitarian assistance guided by our people-centric approach,” PM Modi said.

Zelenskyy expressed gratitude for India’s support and humanitarian aid, and invited India to attend a forthcoming peace summit in Switzerland. “It will be important for us to see India attend the inaugural Peace Summit, which is currently being prepared in Switzerland,” Zelenskyy said.

He added that Ukraine is interested in bolstering trade and economic ties with India in areas such as agricultural exports, aviation cooperation and pharmaceutical and industrial product trade.

Zelenskyy also said that Ukraine wishes to have Indian students back at Ukrainian educational institutions. In February 2022, the Indian government airlifted students back to India after the Russia-Ukraine war broke out.

Meanwhile, Dmytro Kuleba, Ukrainian foreign minister, is expected to visit India soon to lobby for support for the peace summit. During the conversation with Putin, Modi conveyed best wishes for Russia’s future progress and prosperity, and both leaders committed to strengthening the bilateral strategic partnership.

Despite not publicly criticising Moscow’s actions since the invasion, India has consistently advocated for diplomatic resolution since February 2022.

The victory of Putin in the recent elections is expected to strengthen his power in Russia, which remains one of the main suppliers of defence hardware to India. The leaders agreed to maintain communication.

Phone call with Putin

Prime Minister Narendra Modi dialled Russian President Vladimir Putin, congratulating him again on his re-election to the top office.

During their telephonic conversation, both leaders agreed to intensify efforts towards expanding the India-Russia ‘Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership’.

“Spoke with President Putin and congratulated him on his re-election as the President of the Russian Federation. We agreed to work together to further deepen and expand the India-Russia Special & Privileged Strategic Partnership in the years ahead,” PM Modi said.

India has stressed diplomacy and discussion to resolve the conflict which began in February 2022 with Russia’s full-scale invasion.

The Ministry of External Affairs in a press briefing said, “India desires that there be discussion, there be diplomacy, there be constant engagements so that both sides can come together and find peace.”

Phone call with Zelenskyy

Prime Minister Modi discussed ways to strengthen India-Ukraine partnership and reiterated the nation’s people-centric approach and calls for dialogue and diplomacy for the resolution of the ongoing conflict.

The Prime Minister said India would continue to do everything within its means to support a peaceful solution. Meanwhile, President Zelenskyy appreciated India’s continued humanitarian assistance to the people of Ukraine. The two leaders agreed to remain in touch.

In May last year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi met the Ukrainian President on the sidelines of the G7 summit in Japan’s Hiroshima. This was the first in-person meeting between the two leaders since the start of the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February last year.

Putin’s Re-election and war continues

Vladimir Putin won the Presidential elections, securing 87.17 per cent votes.

Putin has served four terms as Russian President. He was first elected President in 2000 and again in 2004, 2012, and 2018. He has effectively remained unchallenged in the polls and has strengthened his control over the Kremlin with another six-year term. The West has described the election as “incredibly undemocratic”.