'Peace And Stability': PM Modi Speaks To Ukraine's Zelenskyy Ahead Of Talks With Putin In China

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday received a phone call from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, during which he expressed India's support for the efforts to restore peace and stability.

"Thank President Zelenskyy for his phone call today. We exchanged views on the ongoing conflict, its humanitarian aspect, and efforts to restore peace and stability. India extends full support to all efforts in this direction," Modi posted on social media platform X, following the conversation.

This comes ahead of Modi's meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in China's Tianjin, where both would be attending the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit. A top Kremlin official on Friday said that Modi and Putin's interaction will take place at the sidelines of the summit on Monday.

Meanwhile, Zelenskyy also took to X to thank Modi for the conversation. In a detailed post, the Ukrainian leader said he shared with Modi the details about the recent meeting which he and European Union leaders had with US President Donald Trump.

Zelenskyy, while marking his frustration over Russian offensive against Ukraine, said it is "impossible to speak meaningfully about peace while our cities and communities are under constant fire".

"India is ready to make the necessary efforts and to deliver the appropriate signal to Russia and other leaders during the meetings on the sidelines of the summit," Zelenskyy wrote on X, following the conversation with Modi.

"We coordinated our positions ahead of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit. The end of this war must begin with an immediate ceasefire, with the necessary silence. This position is understood and supported by everyone," he added.

Notably, India has been targeted by the US with 25% tariffs—in addition to 25% so-called reciprocal levies—for its continued purchase of Russian crude oil. The Donald Trump-led administration has accused India of fuelling the "Russian war machine". New Delhi, however, has rejected the charge, pointing out that its purchase of Russian oil had been encouraged by Washington to stabilise the global energy market.