- | 5:30 pm
Zelenskyy presses Modi on Russian oil, PM reaffirms peace push
Zelenskyy appealed to Modi to reduce the import of Russian energy, particularly oil, arguing that this would diminish Moscow's ability to finance its war campaign
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday spoke with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on the phone, reaffirming India’s steadfast support for a peaceful resolution to the Ukraine conflict and pledging full cooperation in building stronger bilateral ties, a ministry of external affairs (MEA) statement said.
Modi told Zelenskyy he was “glad to speak with President Zelenskyy and hear his perspectives on recent developments,” and reaffirmed that “India remains committed to making every possible contribution in this regard, as well as to further strengthening bilateral ties with Ukraine.”
Separately, Zelenskyy posted on social media that he informed Modi of “Russian attacks on our cities and villages, about yesterday’s shelling of the bus station in Zaporizhzhia… a deliberate strike… at a time when a diplomatic opportunity to end the war has finally appeared.”
“Instead of demonstrating its readiness for a ceasefire, Russia only shows a desire to continue occupation and killings,” Zelenskyy said in his post.
The Ukrainian President called on leaders to act, saying “everything concerning Ukraine must be decided with Ukraine’s participation,” and warned that “other formats will not yield results.”
He also urged Modi to restrict India’s energy imports from Russia to curb Moscow’s war funding.
“I noted that it is necessary to limit the export of Russian energy, particularly oil, to reduce its potential and ability to finance the continuation of this war. It is important that every leader who has tangible leverage over Russia sends the corresponding signals to Moscow,” he said in the post.
I had a long conversation with the Prime Minister of India @narendramodi. We discussed in detail all important issues – both of our bilateral cooperation and the overall diplomatic situation. I am grateful to the Prime Minister for his warm words of support for our people.
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) August 11, 2025
The call came days after Modi spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin, whom he invited to India later this year for the 23rd India–Russia Annual Summit.
Later this week, on 15 August, US President Donald Trump plans to meet Putin in Alaska, coinciding with India’s Independence Day, in an effort to negotiate a Ukraine peace deal.
Trump suggested the deal might involve “some land swapping,” an idea firmly rejected by Zelenskyy, who said, “Ukrainians will not give their land to occupiers.”
European leaders are preparing to meet Trump before his summit with Putin, pressing that any meaningful peace negotiations must include a ceasefire, respect Ukraine’s sovereignty, and involve Ukrainian participation.
India, meanwhile, has welcomed the summit as a “step toward ending the Ukraine conflict,” stating that “this is not an era of war.”
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