Invited PM Modi to join Ukraine’s peace formula: Volodymyr Zelenskiy

On the sidelines of the Group of Seven (G7) summit in Japan, President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on 20 May that he had invited India to join Ukraine's peace formula during his talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

On the Telegram messaging app, Zelenskiy said that the two had also discussed Ukraine's needs in demining and mobile hospitals during their first face-to-face meeting since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022.

In return, PM Modi told Zelenskiy he was keen to help and that for him the war was an issue of humanity and human values.

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"I assure you that for its resolution India, and I personally will do everything within our means," he said.

For decades, India and Russia have enjoyed a close relationship and India has refused to condemn Russia for the war in Ukraine. Following the war, India's trade with Moscow has risen to a record high, driven largely by India ramping up its imports of Russian oil.

Several Western leaders have criticised India's proximity to Russia as they try to isolate Moscow.

Though, India had said that it is defending its own interests in buying Russian oil and expressed its frustration at what it says is the world's preoccupation with the war in Ukraine when urgent action is needed to address global debt and poverty.

Since Russia invaded its neighbour, PM Modi has spoken to both Putin and Zelenskiy by phone several times, requesting both to use dialogue and diplomacy to resolve their differences.

With agency inputs.