Volodymyr Zelensky, the President of Ukraine, made a phone call on November 9 to Narendra Modi, the Prime Minister of India, to discuss the latest diplomatic developments. This call came ahead of a new round of peace negotiations with Moscow. In this conversation, the two leaders examined the ongoing conflicts and ways to strengthen bilateral cooperation between India and Ukraine.
Emphasis on Diplomacy and Humanitarian Empathy
According to a statement from the Prime Minister's Office of India, Zelensky shared his views on recent developments regarding the ongoing conflicts. Modi emphasized India's "human-centric" approach in this conversation and reiterated India's consistent position on the need to resolve conflicts through "dialogue and diplomacy." Modi also expressed India's readiness to "assist all efforts for a peaceful resolution of the conflict."
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Strengthening Bilateral Cooperation
The two leaders also discussed measures to further strengthen bilateral cooperation between India and Ukraine in various fields for the mutual benefit of both nations. Following this phone call, Modi wrote in a post on the social media platform X: "I am pleased to have had a productive conversation with President Zelensky. We reviewed our bilateral cooperation and agreed to further strengthen India-Ukraine relations."
Zelensky also discussed the serious challenges faced by Ukrainian cities and communities regarding electricity, water, and heating services in a call with Ursula von der Leyen, the President of the European Commission. He wrote in his post on X: "Currently, many of our cities and communities are facing very difficult situations regarding energy supply. This situation is particularly acute in Kyiv, Dnipro, Sumy, and the Donetsk and Kherson regions."
The Ukrainian leader continued: "I spoke with Ursula about the challenges and we agreed on activating a specific emergency mechanism by the European Union. This will enable the rapid provision of the financial resources needed by Ukraine. Our teams are currently working on this issue."
The conversation also included discussions on providing energy and humanitarian assistance in preparation for the winter season and issues related to European integration. Zelensky referred to the release of the annual EU enlargement package and stated: "This week, the European Commission released the annual EU enlargement package, which provided a positive assessment of Ukraine's progress. It is important to open all clusters and close the chapters."
On October 31, Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, the Indian Minister of External Affairs, announced that Modi had discussed the Ukraine conflict with Vladimir Putin, the President of Russia, in New Delhi and earlier in Bishkek, while India continues its diplomacy with Russia, Ukraine, and the United States to prevent attacks on civilian shipping, resume grain exports, and protect energy infrastructure.
Jaishankar said on the sidelines of the G20 Foreign Ministers' meeting in Atlanta: "The Prime Minister himself has spoken with President Putin in New Delhi and earlier in Bishkek." He added that India has been discussing this issue with Russian and Ukrainian parties and has been considering trips to Moscow and Kyiv.
He also mentioned that India is coordinating these matters with the Americans, as they also have their own peace mediation initiative.
Jaishankar listed the priorities as ensuring the security of civilian shipping and sailors, resuming grain exports from Russia and Ukraine, and preventing attacks on energy infrastructure.
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