Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has expressed gratitude to India for its unwavering commitment to fostering peace and ending the ongoing conflict with Russia. His remarks came during a significant meeting with India's External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar in Kyiv.
"We are grateful to India for its commitment to ending this unjust war – Russia’s war against Ukraine. This certainly must not be a time of war. Peace is needed. This is India’s clear position," President Zelensky stated, emphasizing the urgency for a resolution.
Diplomatic Engagements Amidst Conflict
The high-level discussions between Zelensky and Jaishankar covered a range of critical issues, including the broader situation in the Black Sea and the persistent threats to civilian shipping. Zelensky highlighted Russia's actions in blocking Ukrainian ports and food corridors, which he noted were causing significant global disruption to food supplies, particularly in regions highly dependent on these maritime routes.
Adding a tense backdrop to the diplomatic talks, Russia launched jet-powered Shahed drones towards Kyiv while Minister Jaishankar was in the city. President Zelensky confirmed that these drones, reportedly developed with Iran's assistance, were largely intercepted by Ukrainian fighter jets, ensuring the safety of the Indian delegation.
India's Consistent Stance on Peace
External Affairs Minister Jaishankar reiterated India's consistent position on the conflict. "India has consistently maintained that this is not an era of war, and that solutions will not emerge from the battlefield," he stated during a joint press statement with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha. Jaishankar further affirmed India's readiness to offer any assistance in resolving the war, stating, "If India can be of any help, in any manner, we are there."
This visit follows previous diplomatic efforts, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi's meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin. During that interaction, Modi had underscored the necessity for the "endless war" to transition into the "end of war." India continues to advocate for the Russia-Ukraine conflict to be resolved through dialogue and diplomacy, maintaining engagement with both Moscow and Kyiv.
President Zelensky also called upon other major world powers to adopt a clear stance on ending the conflict and working towards a lasting and reliable peace.