Prime Minister Narendra Modi told Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday that a “direct dialogue” with Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky could help Moscow find a solution to the ongoing conflict. After a similar chat with Mr. Zelensky in which he expressed Indian worries about the evacuation of students stranded in the Ukrainian city of Sumy, Mr. Modi spoke with the Russian leader.
“Prime Minister Modi applauded the ongoing talks between Russia and Ukraine, expressing hope that they will result in a cease-fire. He proposed that a direct conversation between President Putin and President Zelensky may substantially enhance ongoing peace efforts,” according to a government press release.
In Belarus, Russia and Ukraine held three rounds of fruitless negotiations, the most recent of which took place on Monday evening. Mr. Zelensky has become more public in recent days about his desire to have a direct chat with President Putin.
Over the previous 11 days, India’s top concern has been the safety of its students studying at various medical universities in Ukraine. Around 17,100 Indians have returned from various areas in Ukraine on 83 planes under “Operation Ganga,” according to the Ministry of External Affairs, although at least 500 more students remain in Sumy near the Russian border.
On Monday, Russia declared a humanitarian corridor for Sumy and neighboring cities, but the evacuation was not possible since the local ceasefire failed, and the students were forced to return to their dorms due to safety concerns.
The students have appealed to the Indian and worldwide media for assistance in recent days, and India has encouraged Ukraine and Russia to announce a local ceasefire to allow for the safe evacuation of the remaining students.
During Monday’s meeting, President Putin claimed that Ukrainian “nationalists” are preventing civilians from fleeing war zones. The Russian Putin promised that the Russian military will remove the Indian students trapped in Sumy. India has yet to confirm whether it will accept direct Russian military assistance in transporting its nationals over Ukrainian territory.
Aboard the midst of the high-level phone discussions, India evacuated 205 students via Poland in an Indian Air Force C17 aircraft that landed at the Hindan airbase. Harjot Singh, a student who was recently injured in a shooting in the Ukrainian capital Kyiv, was among the passengers.
PM Modi also called Ukrainian President
Mr. Modi had earlier voiced “great worry” over the situation in Ukraine in a morning phone call. This was the two presidents’ second phone call since Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24. President Zelensky praised India for providing humanitarian aid to the Ukrainian people.
“President Zelensky informed Prime Minister Netanyahu on the conflict situation and current talks between Ukraine and Russia in great detail. The Prime Minister voiced grave worry about the protracted conflict and humanitarian tragedy that has resulted. “The Prime Minister reaffirmed his plea for an immediate end of violence, noting that India has always stood for peaceful resolution of issues and direct communication between the two parties,” the government said in a statement following the meeting.
President Zelensky was congratulated by Mr. Modi for assisting in the evacuation of stranded Indian students from Ukraine. According to the press release, “he expressed serious worry for the safety and security of Indian students still in Ukraine and underscored the necessity for their prompt and safe evacuation.”
Mr. Zelensky expressed his gratitude for the support to the Ukrainian people on social media after the phone call. “I briefed Prime Minister Narendra Modi on how to respond to Russian aggression. Mr. Zelensky stated, “India appreciates the help provided to its citizens throughout the war and the resolve to direct peaceful talks at the highest level.”