New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on December 26 held his fourth round tele talk with Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and both leaders discussed India’s support for the 10point “peace formula” Zelensky had proposed during his recent US visit.
This is the fourth telephone conversation between the two leaders since February 24, when Russia invaded Ukraine.
After the phone conversation, Zelenskyy tweeted, “I had a phone call with @PMOIndia Narendra Modi and wished for a successful G-20 presidency”.
“It was on this platform that I announced the peace formula and now I count on India’s participation in its implementation. I also thanked for humanitarian aid and support in the UN,” he said.
I had a phone call with @PMOIndia Narendra Modi and wished a successful #G20 presidency. It was on this platform that I announced the peace formula and now I count on India's participation in its implementation. I also thanked for humanitarian aid and support in the UN.
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) December 26, 2022
Zelensky’s formula calls for withdrawing Russian troops from Ukraine, releasing prisoners, restoring Ukraine’s territorial integrity and guaranteeing nuclear safety and food and energy security.
A statement from PMO in New Delhi said, “The leaders exchanged views about the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Prime Minister Modi strongly reiterated his call for an immediate cessation of hostilities, and said that both Russia and Ukraine should revert to dialogue and diplomacy to find a lasting solution to their differences.”
“Prime Minister also conveyed India’s support for any peace efforts, and assured India’s commitment to continue providing humanitarian assistance for the affected civilian population,” the PMO said.
The two leaders discussed opportunities for strengthening bilateral cooperation. Prime Minister requested Ukraine authorities to facilitate arrangements for the continued education of Indian students who had to return from Ukraine.
About 20,000 Indian students returned from Ukraine this year after the war broke out.
