NEW DELHI, Aug. 26 — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Tuesday said Kyiv is counting on India’s contribution to efforts to end the war with Russia, praising New Delhi’s consistent support for “peace and dialogue.”
In a social media post marking Ukraine’s Independence Day, Zelenskyy thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his greetings and said India’s role could be vital in pushing for a just resolution. “Now, as the entire world strives to end this horrible war with dignity and lasting peace, we count on India’s contribution,” he wrote. “Every decision that strengthens diplomacy leads to better security not only in Europe, but also in the Indo-Pacific and beyond.”
The remarks came after Modi, in a letter to Zelenskyy dated August 24, conveyed his best wishes to the people of Ukraine on their Independence Day. Modi recalled his visit to Kyiv last year and said bilateral relations had advanced since then. “I warmly recall my visit to Kyiv in August last year, and note the progress in India-Ukraine bilateral relations. I look forward to working with you to further strengthen our mutually beneficial cooperation,” the Prime Minister said.
Modi reiterated that India “has always stood on the side of peace” and would support all “sincere efforts seeking an early, abiding and peaceful resolution of the conflict through dialogue and diplomacy.” He also thanked Zelenskyy for his greetings on India’s Independence Day, adding, “We earnestly wish our friends in Ukraine a future marked by peace, progress and prosperity.”
On August 15, Zelenskyy had extended greetings to India and expressed hope that New Delhi would contribute to global efforts to halt the conflict.
Zelenskyy’s latest comments come as geopolitical tensions intensify, with Washington set to enforce 50 per cent tariffs on Indian goods from August 27 over New Delhi’s continued imports of Russian crude oil — a move seen by observers as a sign of mounting pressure on India’s balancing act between major powers.
