'We count on India's contribution': Zelenskyy responds to PM Modi's I-Day greetings, hails policy of 'peace and dialogue'

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has called on India to contribute to ending the war “with dignity and lasting peace,” as he responded to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Independence Day message to Kyiv.

Ukraine celebrates its Independence Day on August 24. “Thank you, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, for the warm greetings on Ukraine’s Independence Day. We appreciate India’s dedication to peace and dialogue. Now, as the entire world strives to end this horrible war with dignity and lasting peace, we count on India’s contribution,” Zelenskyy said.  

Thank you, Prime Minister @narendramodi, for the warm greetings on Ukraine’s Independence Day. We appreciate India’s dedication to peace and dialogue. Now, as the entire world strives to end this horrible war with dignity and lasting peace, we count on India’s contribution. Every… pic.twitter.com/FtwkXUhtEH

— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) August 25, 2025

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In his letter to Zelenskyy, PM Modi said, “India has always stood on the side of peace. India remains committed to extending all possible support for sincere efforts seeking an early, abiding and peaceful resolution of the conflict through dialogue and diplomacy.”

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PM Modi invites Zelenskyy

The prime minister has also invited Zelenskyy to visit India, Ukraine’s Ambassador Oleksandr Polishchuk said last week. “The Indian Prime Minister invited Zelensky to come to India. Both sides are working on this. We expect President Zelenskyy to be in India, definitely,” he said on the occasion of Ukraine’s Independence Day.

He added that a date for such a visit is being finalised. Polishchuk also welcomed the strengthening dialogue between Ukraine and India since 2023, commending Prime Minister Modi’s position. He noted that India is “not neutral” in the conflict, but strongly supports peace, diplomacy, and political dialogue.

Last year, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said that New Delhi has never been “neutral” on the Russia-Ukraine war.

“It is India’s view that the two sides need to engage with each other to find a solution. President Zelenskyy knows we mean well by Ukraine; we want this conflict to come to an end. If there is anything we can do in any way in sort of upfront, behind or support anybody, we are willing to do whatever we can. This conflict must end, we believe,” he said.