Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy hailed the historic visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Kyiv as a significant moment. After an engaging Ukraine visit, Modi departed for India on Friday.
“Today, history was made,” said Zelenskyy.
“The Prime Minister of India made his first visit to Ukraine since our country's independence, on the eve of our Independence Day,” he added.
While addressing the press briefing after meeting with PM Modi, Zelenskyy said Ukraine believes that India can play a role in resolving the war as it has an influence on Russia’s Putin.
#WATCH | Kyiv: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says, "With regards to the citizens of India that were tricked to participate in the combat operations - PM Modi started with that, he said that he condemns it and he will make everything possible for the citizens of India… pic.twitter.com/og9eXOgxLV
— ANI (@ANI) August 23, 2024
“India will play its role. I think that India began to recognise that this is not just conflict, this is real war of one man and his name is Putin against a whole country whose name is Ukraine. You are a big country. You have a big influence and you can stop Putin and halt his economy and put him really in his place,” Zelenskyy told ANI.
India emphasised resolving the conflict through dialogue and diplomacy. Modi reiterated the message of peace. He assured all help as “a friend” to bring peace to Ukraine.
#WATCH | Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says, "Yes (I have plans to visit India) because when you begin a partnership, strategic partnership, and you begin some dialogue, I think that you don't need to lose time and do big pauses and that's why I think it will be good to… pic.twitter.com/JpE1s7IZm9
— ANI (@ANI) August 23, 2024
During the Modi-Zelenskyy meet, the two leaders agreed on a joint statement emphasising the development of a strategic partnership, bilateral trade and continued military-technical cooperation.
#WATCH | Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says, "Yeah, we are ready (to directly engage with India and buy products made in India in the near future). I gave these all messages to your productions. As I said, we are ready to exchange...We are ready to buy. We are ready to… pic.twitter.com/lLRfyiBUJp
— ANI (@ANI) August 23, 2024
“India supports Ukraine's national sovereignty and territorial integrity. And this is critical because everyone in the world must equally respect the UN Charter,” Zelenskyy added.
Interestingly, Zelenskky's Instagram post with pictures of PM Modi became his most-liked post on the social media platform within a few hours of being uploaded.
His pictures with Modi received over 1 million likes within hours.
"Our meeting is important for strengthening the dialogue and relationship between India and Ukraine," said Zelenskyy in his post.
During a separate event, Modi presented four BHISHM (Bharat Health Initiative for Sahyog Hita and Maitri) Cubes to the Ukrainian government.
The United States said PM Modi's visit to Ukraine is "potentially helpful". If PM Modi's Ukraine trip can work toward "getting us to an end to the conflict that comports with President Zelenskyy's vision for a just peace, well, then we think that would be helpful," National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby told reporters.
Jaishankar defends PM Modi's hug diplomacy
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar defended Prime Minister Narendra Modi's warm hugging of Russian President Vladimir Putin. It was a gesture that drew much criticism from the West. Modi had greeted Zelenskyy also with a warm hug.
During the press briefing after the Modi-Zelenskyy talks, Jaishankar was asked about the embrace and he said, “In our part of the world, when people meet people, they are given to embracing each other, it may not be part of your culture but I can assure you it is part of ours.”
“In fact, today, I think, I saw, the Prime Minister also embrace President Zelenskyy and I have seen him do it with a number of other leaders in a number of other places. So, I think, we have a slight... cultural gap here in terms of what these courtesies mean,” Jaishankar added.
