India stresses ‘enduring peace’ in Ukraine as Jaishankar speaks with Ukrainian FM

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Sunday said he held a phone conversation with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, during which he reiterated India’s long-standing position that the Russia–Ukraine conflict must end at the earliest and give way to “an enduring peace.”

The call came just weeks after their meeting on the sidelines of the G7 Foreign Ministers’ Outreach Session in Canada, where the two ministers discussed bilateral issues, developments on the battlefield, and possible pathways toward peace.

“Had a telecon with FM Andrii Sybiha of Ukraine last evening. Appreciate his briefing on the ongoing developments related to the Ukraine conflict. Reiterated India’s support for an early end to this conflict and the establishment of an enduring peace,” Jaishankar posted on X.

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The conversation took place amid intense diplomatic activity over a contentious US-drafted peace proposal currently circulating among global stakeholders. Sybiha, in his own post, said he briefed Jaishankar on ongoing peace efforts and upcoming diplomatic engagements, stressing that India has an important role in advancing a “just peace” in the conflict.

The exchange comes as the war shows no signs of slowing, even as pressure mounts on Kyiv and Moscow to re-engage in meaningful negotiations.

President Donald Trump recently intensified that pressure, urging Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to accept his 28-point peace plan by Thanksgiving, calling it a “good and necessary” deal to end the war. Speaking outside the White House, Trump said that if Zelensky refuses, “he can fight his little heart out,” while adding that the proposal remains open to negotiation.

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Asked if the draft was his “final offer,” Trump replied, “No, we would like to get to peace… One way or another, we will get it ended.” He also repeated his claim that had he been president in early 2022, “the war never would have happened.”

Zelensky, however, signalled serious concerns about the plan, warning that Ukraine faces “a very tough choice — either the loss of dignity, or the risk of losing a key partner.” He added, “Either a difficult 28-point plan, or an extremely difficult winter, the most difficult one and further risks ahead. A life without freedom, dignity, and justice, and being forced to trust someone who has already attacked us twice.”

Trump has set a Thursday deadline for Kyiv to respond, adding to the pressure on Ukraine as winter fighting intensifies.

What is the 28-point proposal?

The draft document — prepared by US Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff and Russia’s Kirill Dmitriev — lays out sweeping territorial, military, and political concessions aimed at ending the war. European governments, which were not consulted until the draft leaked, have already criticised it as heavily tilted in Moscow’s favour.

According to the proposal, Ukrainian forces would withdraw from areas of Donetsk still under their control, while effectively acknowledging Russian control over Donetsk, Luhansk, and Crimea. The plan also seeks to freeze front lines in the occupied Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions.

It further recommends capping Ukraine’s military at 600,000 personnel, basing European fighter jets in Poland, and offering Kyiv unspecified “reliable security guarantees.” In return, Russia would see sweeping sanctions relief and be welcomed back into the G7, restoring the G8 format.