Zelenskyy To Rely On PM Modi To Resolve War In Ukraine

NEW DELHI: Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the president of Ukraine, called Prime Minister Narendra Modi a few days after his return from a visit to the US, where he spoke to the Congress. Zelenskyy asked for India's assistance in putting into practice a peace plan with Russia that Modi had suggested at the G20 Bali summit. Like other international leaders, Zelenskyy is aware of the relationship between Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin and the influence the Indian PM can have on efforts to put an end to the conflict in Ukraine.

Zelenskyy's confidence may have grown as a result of CIA director William J. Burns' recent assertion that Modi had influenced Putin to prevent the use of nuclear weapons in Ukraine. Since Putin had previously warned of the growing threat of nuclear war and declared that Russia would use all available tools to fight, the remark gained significance.

The comments from the head of the CIA are seen as yet further support for India's stance on the war in Ukraine. Modi and Zelenskyy have had four phone conversations since Russia invaded Ukraine in February. Additionally, Modi has had numerous conversations with Putin. On October 4, during their most recent phone call, Modi informed Zelenskyy that "no military solution" to the problems between Russia and Ukraine was feasible and that India was prepared to support efforts to bring about peace.

Modi had told Russia that "this is not a time of conflict" during their private meeting with Putin in September at the SCO summit in Samarkand. Given the longstanding connections between Moscow and New Delhi, the West, especially the US, praised Modi's statement and interpreted it as a public rebuke of Russia. In a statement made by G20 leaders last month in Bali, Modi repeated his anti-war message.

India has provided 12 shipments totaling 99.3 tonnes of humanitarian aid to Ukraine and its neighbours since the crisis began. These include tarps, tents, blankets, prescription medications, and other supplies. On December 27, Zelenskyy made reference to his phone call with Modi from the day before and felt that New Delhi could be "more aggressive in attempts to cease [Russia's] aggression." "Today I had a conversation with the Indian prime minister. The G20 will be led by India the following year. I wished Mr. Modi a successful presidency, and by "everyone in the world who values peace," Said Zelenskyy.

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