PM Modi Is Invited by Putin and Zelenskyy: While there is no indication that the Russia-Ukraine war is de-escalating, Putin was reelected as president at the time of the prime minister’s meeting with the two presidents.
Shortly after meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had a conversation with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine. While there is no indication that the Russia-Ukraine war is de-escalating, Putin was reelected as president at the time of the prime minister’s meeting with the two presidents. The two leaders reportedly expressed to NDTV that they see India as a broker of peace.
According to sources, Prime Minister Modi has received invitations from Zelenskyy and Putin to visit their nations following the Lok Sabha elections. 2018 saw Prime Minister Modi’s most recent trip to Russia.
Phone call with Zelenskyy
In addition to reiterating the country’s people-centric approach and advocating for communication and diplomacy to resolve the ongoing crisis, Prime Minister Modi spoke about measures to deepen the relationship between India and Ukraine.
The prime minister declared that India would keep using all of its resources to help find a peaceful resolution. President Zelenskyy, meantime, expressed gratitude to India for its ongoing humanitarian aid to the Ukrainian people. The two leaders decided to stay in communication.
The President of Ukraine and Prime Minister Narendra Modi met in May of last year in Hiroshima, Japan, during the G7 summit. The two presidents had not met face-to-face since the beginning of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February of last year.
Phone call with Putin
Prime Minister Narendra Modi called Russian President Vladimir Putin earlier today to extend his congratulations on his reelection to the highest position. Both leaders decided to further up efforts to broaden the India-Russia “Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership” during their phone call.
“Had a conversation with President Putin and expressed congrats on his reelection to the Russian Federation’s top office. In the upcoming years, we intend to collaborate to enhance and broaden the India-Russia Special & Privileged Strategic Partnership,” PM Modi stated.
India has placed a strong emphasis on dialogue and diplomacy to end the crisis, which was sparked by Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022. “India desires that there be discussion, diplomacy, and constant engagements so that both sides can come together and find peace,” the Ministry of External Affairs stated in a press briefing.
Putin’s Re-election and war continues
With 87.17% of the vote, Vladimir Putin emerged victorious in the presidential contest. With 4.1 percent of the vote, Nikolai Kharitonov, the candidate for the Communist Party of Russian Federation, took second place, and Vladislav Davankov, the candidate for the New People Party, came in third with 4.8 percent.
Putin led Russia to four consecutive terms as president. First elected in 2000, he was re-elected in 2004, 2012, and 2018. With another six-year term, he has effectively maintained his lead in the polls and reinforced his hold over the Kremlin. The election has been characterized as “incredibly undemocratic” by the West.
Political infighting has caused a $60 billion aid package to freeze, and Ukraine has urged the US Congress to release it. In an online conference for foreign journalists, Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba stated that the delays have come as a “shock” to Ukrainian officials.
“Since the invasion, Russia has wasted up to USD 211 billion to equip, deploy, maintain, and sustain its needless war on its neighbor,” stated US Defense Secretary Lloyd J. Austin. “Putin’s war of choice will cost Russia USD 1.3 trillion in previously anticipated economic growth through 2026.”
“If Putin is successful in Ukraine, he will not stop there,” Austin stated. “Our allies and partners are here because they understand the stakes.”
