PM Modi suggested that a direct conversation between President Putin and President Zelensky may greatly assist in the ongoing peace efforts.
New Delhi: In a crucial development, Prime Minister Narendra Modi held yet another round of tele talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday.
Sources say the talks went well, and the Russian military offered to extend its help for the evacuation of stranded Indians. "Russian military personnel making every effort to ensure the evacuation of the Indian citizens from Sumy," the Russian embassy said in Delhi.
"Narendra Modi expressed gratitude to the Russian Side for the measures taken to return his compatriots to their homeland," the Russian authorities said.
During the talks, at the request of Prime Minister Modi, Putin outlined his assessments of the "course of negotiations" between the Russian delegation and the Ukrainian representatives, the third round of which is scheduled to be held today.
Vladimir Putin pointed out that the Indian students held by the radicals in Kharkiv managed to leave the city only after strong international pressure on the Kyiv authorities, the Russian embassy claimed.
Meanwhile, a statement from the Ministry of External Affairs said the two leaders discussed the evolving situation in Ukraine. President Putin briefed Prime Minister Modi on the status of negotiations between the Ukrainian and Russian teams.
Prime Minister Modi welcomed the ongoing negotiations between Russia and Ukraine and expressed a hope that they would lead to the cessation of the conflict. He suggested that a direct conversation between President Putin and President Zelensky may greatly assist in the ongoing peace efforts. Prime Minister Modi conveyed his deep concern for the safety and security of the Indian students still remaining in Sumy.
President Putin also briefed Prime Minister about the ongoing measures related to humanitarian corridors for facilitating the evacuation of civilians, including Indian students.
