PM Modi to visit wartime Kyiv for high-stakes talks amid ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict
PTC News Desk: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to visit Kyiv on Friday, August 23, for high-stakes talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. This visit marks the first time an Indian prime minister has traveled to Ukraine since the country gained independence from the Soviet Union in 1991.
PM Modi’s visit comes at a critical moment in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war. Ukrainian forces remain active in Russia’s western Kursk region following an incursion on August 6, while Russian troops continue their slow but steady advances in Ukraine’s eastern territories. The visit is seen as a significant diplomatic gesture by India, which has maintained a complex relationship with both Moscow and Kyiv throughout the conflict.
Mykhailo Podolyak, an adviser to President Zelenskyy, highlighted the importance of Modi’s visit, noting that New Delhi holds “a certain influence” over Moscow. The visit, which follows PM Modi’s recent trip to Moscow in July, is viewed as a strategic opportunity for Ukraine to strengthen its diplomatic ties with countries in the Global South. Ukraine aims to garner broader international support for a fair resolution to the conflict.
Ahead of his visit, PM Modi expressed his commitment to seeking a peaceful resolution to the conflict. “I look forward to the opportunity to share perspectives on a peaceful resolution to the ongoing Ukraine conflict,” he stated. “As a friend and partner, we hope for an early return of peace and stability in the region.”
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Modi’s trip to Moscow earlier this year coincided with a devastating Russian missile strike on Ukraine that targeted a children’s hospital. This incident led PM Modi to issue a subtle yet pointed rebuke to Russian President Vladimir Putin during their summit, emphasizing India’s concern over the humanitarian impact of the conflict.
The timing of Modi’s Moscow visit drew strong criticism from President Zelenskyy, who described it as “a huge disappointment and a devastating blow to peace efforts.” Zelenskyy further condemned the visit, calling it disheartening to see “the leader of the world’s largest democracy embrace the world’s most blood-stained criminal in Moscow on such a day.”
India has historically been a close economic and defense partner of Russia and has publicly condemned the loss of innocent lives in the ongoing conflict. However, India has also continued to strengthen its economic ties with Moscow, balancing its strategic interests without fully aligning with Western positions on the war. This delicate diplomatic dance reflects India’s broader strategy of securing its national interests while advocating for peace and stability on the global stage.