How did PM Modi and XI persuade Putin against using Nuclear weapons?

Poland's Deputy Foreign Minister credited PM Modi for persuading Putin to reconsider the use of nuclear weapons in Ukraine, following calls from India and China. 

Livemint
Updated18 Mar 2025, 08:21 AM IST
Russia's President Vladimir Putin and India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi. (File)
Russia’s President Vladimir Putin and India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi. (File)(via REUTERS)

Poland's Deputy Foreign Minister and Secretary of State, Wladyslaw Teofil Bartoszewski, said on Monday that Prime Minister Narendra Modi helped convince Russian President Vladimir Putin to refrain from using nuclear weapons against Ukraine.

Speaking to ANI, Bartoszewski stated that Putin had “threatened” to use tactical nuclear weapons on Ukrainian territory, but calls from India and China influenced his decision to reconsider.

Also Read: Russia-Ukraine ceasefire: Will Putin accept Donald Trump’s proposal? Will this war end soon? What we know so far

“President Putin was threatening to use tactical nuclear weapons on the territory of Ukraine. The Americans sent lots of messages for him to not think about it... That didn't necessarily persuade him at first. He received two phone calls- one from the President of China, Xi Jinping, and one from PM Modi, telling him that neither China nor India independently approve of the war. When two major nations which Russia consider to be friendly said don't do it. He decided that it is not a good idea so PM Narendra Modi played a role in it,” Bartoszewski said.

Also Read: ‘Not time for war’: PM Modi’s message for Putin; warns Ukraine’s Zelensky talks with allies will ‘bear no fruit’, until…

Bartoszewski, along with several world leaders, is attending the Raisina Dialogue in New Delhi.

During his conversation with Lex Fridman, PM Modi outlined India's approach to peace efforts between Russia and Ukraine.

“Ukraine may hold countless discussions with their allies, but it will bear no fruit. Discussions must include both parties instead,” PM Modi added.

Reiterating his stance, PM Modi stated, “As for me, I have always maintained that I stand with peace. I am not neutral. I have a stance, and that is peace, and peace is what I strive for.”

Also Read: Russia - Ukraine war: Donald Trump to speak with Putin tomorrow - land, power plants, ‘division of assets’ on agenda?

Executive Director of the Observer Research Foundation America, Dhruva Jaishankar, said, “After the last round of negotiations between US officials with Ukrainians, they agreed to terms for ceasefire which they have now sent to Russia...the ball is now on Russia's court. Tomorrow, a conversation is expected between Trump and Putin... the terms of ceasefire for Ukraine, what is going to be Ukraine's status, that is really up in the air...India has said that India's offices are open for any kind of intermediary role if both sides are happy with that...”

Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President Donald Trump are set to speak by phone on Tuesday, with one U.S. official expressing hope that the two leaders could agree on a Ukraine ceasefire within weeks.

President Putin was threatening to use tactical nuclear weapons on the territory of Ukraine... When two major nations which Russia consider to be friendly said don't do it, he decided that it is not a good idea.

Earlier, Trump stated that "a lot of work" had been done between the United States and Russia to resolve the three-year Ukraine conflict and that there was a "very good chance" hostilities would come to an end.

(With inputs from ANI)

Key Takeaways
  • Diplomatic interventions by major nations can significantly influence conflict resolution.
  • India’s stance on peace showcases its potential role as a mediator in international crises.
  • The dynamics of global politics are shifting, with non-Western powers playing crucial roles.

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First Published:18 Mar 2025, 08:21 AM IST
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