National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval is set to travel to Moscow following a telephonic conversation between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Vladimir Putin on August 27. Sources confirm that Doval will visit Russia with proposals aimed at resolving ongoing conflicts. This trip comes just over a week after Prime Minister Modi's visit to Ukraine and ahead of his upcoming visit to the United States.
Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had emphasised on India's potential influence in ending the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine. In response to a query from Times Now, Zelenskyy had said, "If India and Indians change their attitude toward Russia, this war will end. Because Putin himself will stop it."
Speaking to Times Now, Zelenskyy elaborated on his expectations from India, stating, "Ukraine wants India to be on its side to end the war and not do a balancing act between both Russia and Ukraine." He further stressed the impact of India's economic decisions, particularly in the energy sector, noting, "If India stops purchasing oil from Russia, then it will become a challenge for Russia to sustain the war."
Prime Minister Narendra Modi made history last month as the first Indian prime minister to visit Ukraine, meeting with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv. The leaders greeted each other warmly with a hug and handshake at the Martyrologist Exposition. Their discussions are set to include both one-on-one and delegation-level talks, focusing on finding a negotiated solution to the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict.
PM Modi arrived in Kyiv after a 10-hour journey from Poland aboard the 'Rail Force One' train, marking the final leg of his two-nation tour.
This visit to Ukraine followed nearly six weeks after his high-profile trip to Russia, where he engaged in extensive talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin, primarily aimed at ending the conflict.
In their last encounter in June, during the G7 summit in Italy's Apulia, PM Modi assured President Zelenskyy that India would continue to support a peaceful resolution to the Ukraine conflict. He emphasised that "dialogue and diplomacy" are key to achieving peace.
During that meeting, PM Modi also conveyed India's commitment to a "human-centric" approach to resolving the conflict, and President Zelenskyy extended an invitation for him to visit Kyiv.