The European Union's top diplomat Kaja Kallas on Tuesday sought India's assistance to persuade Russia to end the four-year war in Ukraine. "We have asked our Indian colleagues to raise this with the Russians, put pressure on the Russians so that they would also want peace because this war is not good for Europe," Kallas, the vice-president of the European Commission, told the media in New Delhi.
"We want this war to end. What we had in our discussions with our Indian counterparts was also to really raise from their side, with the Russians as well, that they would also want peace. Right now, Ukrainians have agreed to an unconditional ceasefire already a year ago. The Russian side is only pretending to negotiate, but they are actually not negotiating. They are demanding their absolute maximum," she said.
India has close ties with Russia. President Vladimir Putin visited New Delhi last month and met Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The United States and Russia have been engaged in months-long negotiations to end the conflict without any breakthrough. Moscow has reportedly demanded full control of the Donetsk region, along with commitments that Ukraine will never join the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO).
While the US has leaned towards Russian demands to quickly seal a peace deal, Ukraine, backed by EU support, has refused to compromise on its sovereignty.
Addressing a joint press conference with Modi, European Council President António Luís Santos da Costa said the two sides "affirmed commitment to supporting efforts towards a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in Ukraine, one that fully respects Ukraine's independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity".
"We are supporting all efforts to reach a just and sustainable peace. Ukraine has shown its readiness, including at the cost of a difficult compromise. I know, dear Prime Minister, that we can count on you to help create conditions for peace through dialogue and diplomacy," he said.
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