Ukraine President Speaks to PM Modi, Urges Support in UN Security Council

Modi reiterated his call for an immediate cessation of violence and a return to dialogue, and expressed India's willingness to contribute in any way towards peace efforts, a statement from the PMO said.

New Delhi: Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky on Saturday said that he has spoken to Indian Prime Minister Modi on the course of war with Russia and sought “political support”. “Informed of the course of Ukraine repulsing Russian aggression. Urged India to give us political support in UNSC,” the Ukrainian President tweeted. “Stop the aggressor together,” Zelensky wrote.

The Ukraine President’s comment came shortly after Russia praised India’s decision to abstain from a vote at the United Nations to condemn its invasion. “Highly appreciate India’s independent and balanced position at the voting in the UNSC on Feb 25. In the spirit of the special and privileged strategic partnership, Russia is committed to maintain close dialogue with India on the situation around Ukraine,” the Russian Embassy in India said in a statement.

Spoke with 🇮🇳 Prime Minister @narendramodi. Informed of the course of 🇺🇦 repulsing 🇷🇺 aggression. More than 100,000 invaders are on our land. They insidiously fire on residential buildings. Urged 🇮🇳 to give us political support in🇺🇳 Security Council. Stop the aggressor together!

— Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) February 26, 2022

During the conversation, Modi conveyed India’s deep concern for the safety and security of its nationals in Ukraine and sought assistance in expeditious and safe evacuation of Indians from that country, Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) said in a statement. Modi expressed his deep anguish about the loss of life and property due to the ongoing conflict and reiterated his call for an immediate cessation of violence and a return to dialogue, it said.

The Modi-Zelenskyy talks came in the midst of the Russian military advancing towards Ukrainian capital city Kyiv and other prominent areas that prompted Zelenskyy to plead for immediate global support.

(With agency inputs)