NE NEWS SERVICE
NEW DELHI, MARCH 7
Prime Minister Narendra Modi had separate phone conversations with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Russia’s Vladimir Putin on Monday amid the ongoing conflict between the two nations.
Modi urged Putin to “hold direct talks with Ukrainian President Zelenskyy in addition to the ongoing negotiations between their teams”, ANI reported.
Modi also appreciated Russia’s decision to announce a ceasefire and establish humanitarian corridors in multiple cities, including Sumy, on Monday. “Prime Minister Modi stressed the importance of safe evacuation of Indian citizens from Sumy at the earliest. President Putin assured Prime Minister Modi of all possible cooperation in their safe evacuation,” ANI reported.
The conversation between Modi and Putin lasted about 50 minutes. ANI quoted government sources as saying Putin briefed Modi on the status of negotiations between the Ukrainian and Russian teams.
Earlier, Modi’s conversation with Zelenskyy lasted about 35 minutes.
Zelenskyy tweeted about his conversation with Modi. Zelenskyy wrote he “Informed Prime Minister @narendramodi about [Ukraine] countering Russian aggression. [India] appreciates the assistance to its citizens during the war and [Ukraine’s] commitment to direct peaceful dialogue at the highest level. Grateful for the support to the Ukrainian people”.
ANI reported, quoting government sources, that “Modi thanked President Zelenskyy for the help extended by the Government of Ukraine in the evacuation of Indian nationals from Ukraine. PM sought continued support from the Government of Ukraine in ongoing efforts for evacuation of Indian nationals from Sumy.” Modi appreciated the continuation of dialogue between Russia and Ukraine.
This was the second conversation between Modi and Zelenskyy since the conflict started on February 24. The two leaders spoke on February 26, in the wake of India abstaining from a vote at the UN Security Council that criticised Russia.
