- Volodymyr Zelenskyy says he counts on India’s help to implement peace formula.
- Request comes as New Delhi tries to improve commercial relations with Moscow.
- India is Russia’s main oil consumer, defying Western sanctions and aiding Putin.
During a phone chat with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that he was counting on India’s assistance to implement a “peace formula.”
The request comes as New Delhi tries to improve commercial relations with Moscow after becoming one of the country’s biggest oil buyers, defying Western sanctions and giving Russian President Vladimir Putin a crucial financial lifeline while the Kremlin continues an unprovoked war against its neighbor.
“I announced the peace formula and now I count on India’s participation in its implementation,” Zelenskyy wrote on Twitter. “I also thanked for humanitarian aid and support in the UN.”
In a statement following the call, the Indian government said Modi had repeated his calls “for an immediate cessation of hostilities” and to “revert to dialogue and diplomacy.”
“Prime Minister also conveyed India’s support for any peace efforts,” the statement added.
At the Group of 20 summit in Bali, Indonesia, in November, Zelenskyy gave a 10-point peace plan to the attendees. This month, India took over the G20 chairmanship, which it will hold till the following year.
“The Prime Minister explained the main priorities of India’s G20 Presidency, including giving a voice to the concerns of developing nations on issues like food and energy security,” New Delhi’s statement said.
While India has not formally condemned Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Modi told Putin in September that now is not the time for war, stressing the need to “move onto a path of peace” and reminding the Russian leader of the importance of “democracy, diplomacy and dialogue.”
The G20’s decision to release a united statement denouncing Russia’s aggression in Ukraine “in the strongest terms” was also credited to Modi as a major factor.
India, a 1.3 billion-person country, has often stated that its choice to boost purchases of Russian energy is made to safeguard its own interests as a nation with low income levels.
According to Media, Russia handed India a list of more than 500 products last month, including train, plane, and automobile parts.
Putin said Sunday he’s ready to negotiate “about acceptable solutions” regarding the war in Ukraine, according to state media. In response, a Zelenskyy adviser said Moscow “doesn’t want negotiations, but tries to avoid responsibility” as it continues to attack civilians.
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