'PM Modi can really do that': Zelenskyy on possibility of ending Ukraine war

As lawmakers from around the world contemplate a peace plan between Ukraine and Russia, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi “can influence the end” of the ravaging war. The proclamation from the Ukrainian leader came during an exclusive interview with The Times of India.

In the span of just a few months, India frequently spoke to Russia and Ukraine on a diplomatic level. This includes PM Modi’s visit to both Moscow and Kyiv and his meeting with Zelenskyy in the United States.

“PM Modi can influence the end of the Ukraine war. This is the huge value of him in any conflict. This is the huge value of India,” the Ukrainian leader told TOI when he was asked about the possibility of PM Modi holding negotiations between both Ukraine and Russia. “Undoubtedly it can be in India and PM Modi can really do that… but I think we need to prepare ourselves … and only according to our format because the war is in our land… we have the platform which is the peace summit," he added.

While Zelenskyy pushes his ‘victory plan,’ Ukraine braces for winters 

It is pertinent to note that the Ukrainian forces have been under immense pressure as Russia makes advances in Donbas. While the Ukrainian troops have managed to hold on to the Kursk region in Russia, the country is concerned with dealing with the war as it heads towards its third winter.

“This is the third hard winter for Ukraine and the Ukrainian people… We are step-by-step strengthening our energy systems and aren’t just going to allow Russia to kill our people,” Zelenskyy said.

When asked about the ‘victory plan,’ the Ukrainian leader said: “The Victory Plan is not a bargaining chip or a topic of negotiations with Russia… We are not asking for quick Nato membership because that is not possible during the war … What we are asking for is an invitation to NATO so that in the future nobody can change their opinion.”

Ukraine hopes India joins the vision of “just peace” 

In recent months, Ukraine has been diplomatically engaging with India with the hopes that New Delhi will join Kyiv’s vision for “a just peace,” aimed at concentrating a global effort around pushing the Kremlin to end its full-scale invasion. What makes India a key player in this regard is the fact that the country has close ties with Russia.

India is currently one of the largest trade partners of Russia and is a major buyer of Russian oil. “A peaceful solution to the conflict is best for humanity,” PM Modi said during his talks with Zelenskyy in the US. In a joint statement published later, the leaders said India and Ukraine both support upholding principles of international law, including the UN Charter.

During the BRICS summit, PM Modi told Russian President Vladimir Putin that he wanted peace in Ukraine and that New Delhi was ready to help achieve a truce to end Europe’s deadliest conflict since World War 2. “We have been in constant touch on the subject of the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine,” Modi said. “We believe that problems should be resolved only through peaceful means.”

“We fully support the early restoration of peace and stability. All our efforts give priority to humanity. India is ready to provide all possible support in the times to come,” he remarked before the summit, adding that he would discuss the issues with Putin.

With inputs from agencies.