In a first since Russia’s invasion, PM Modi meets Ukraine President Zelensky, calls war ‘an issue of humanity’ | Watch

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is in Tokyo, for the ongoing Group of Seven (G7) summit met Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Tokyo, according to officials. Notably, this is the first time the two heads of the countries met since Russia unleashed a ‘special military operation’ on the East European country Ukraine on 24 February 2022.

In his opening remarks PM Modi for the meet with Ukraine President Zelenskyy, the former said, “Over the past one-and-half years, we have spoken on the phone but after Glasgow, after a long time, we have an opportunity to meet. The war in Ukraine is a very big issue for the whole world. It has had many different impacts on the whole world.”

“But I don’t see this as a political or economic issue, for me this is an issue of humanity, an issue of human values.” PM Modi added. 

“PM @narendramodi held talks with President @ZelenskyyUa during the G-7 Summit in Hiroshima.” the Prime Minister's office took to Twitter to share the update.

PM Modi met his Ukrainian counterpart on the sidelines of the G7 summit and assured, “You know more than any of us what is the suffering of war but when our students came back from Ukraine last year, the description of the circumstances they gave then I could understand the pain felt by you and Ukrainian citizens. I wish to convince you that India and me in my personal capacity will do whatever is possible to find a solution to this”

Unlike major powers, Narendra Modi-led India government has not taken sides condemning Russia, much to the dismay of Western powers who engaged in a sanction imposition war with Vladimir Putin-led Russia.

PM Modi is attending the G7 Summit under the Japanese Presidency at the invitation of PM Fumio Kishida.

The Ukrainian president is also attending the summit on an invitation by Japan, the current chair of the powerful grouping of seven. Secretary of Ukraine's National Security and Defence Council Oleksiy Danilov said that Zelenskyy would attend the summit.

"We were sure that our president would be where Ukraine needed him, in any part of the world, to solve the issue of stability of our country," he said on national television Friday.

Since the Ukraine conflict began, PM Modi has spoken to Russian President Vladimir Putin and President Zelenskyy several times. In a telephone conversation with Zelenskyy on October 4 last year, Modi said there can be "no military solution" and that India is ready to contribute to any peace efforts.

Japan is hosting the G7 summit as the current chair of the powerful grouping. PM Modi will be in Hiroshima for the G7 summit from May 19 to May 21. He is expected to speak on global challenges, including food, fertiliser and energy security.

Earlier today, PM Modi was welcomed by his Japanese counterpart Fumio Kishida as he arrived for the Working Session 6 of the G7 Summit in Hiroshima.

PM Modi who arrived in Japan a day ago reviewed the full range of relations between India and Japan during his bilateral meeting with his Japanese counterpart Fumio Kishida earlier today.

The G7 comprises the US, the UK, France, Italy, Germany, Canada and Japan. Japan, the current chair of the grouping, invited India and seven other countries to the summit.