NEW DELHI: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Friday hailed Prime Minister Narendra Modi‘s visit to Kyiv amid the ongoing war with Russia, calling it a historic meeting.
Zelenskyy claimed that PM Modi’s visit will strengthen the bilateral ties between India and Ukraine.
Discussing the implications of PM Modi’s visit, Zelenskyy said, “A very good meeting.This is a historic one. I am very thankful to the PM for coming. It’s a good beginning with some practical steps. If he (PM Modi) has ideas (on peace) we will happy to speak about it. But we don’t change our territories on any propositions. PM Modi wants peace more than Putin. The problem is that Putin doesn’t want it. I don’t know what did they speak about when they had meeting. If during the official visit of PM, you attack the children in hospital. So, he had to recognise that he (Russian President) doesn’t respect India or doesn’t control his Army. It means that he doesn’t respect Indian PM.”
“As for the hugs with the PM of India or the handshakes or anything else, it’s the decision made by every leader. I can’t tell you anything about that. I believe that if the leaders of the world are meeting with other leaders who kill people and children, conquer territories, and invade the territories, it means that there is no diplomatic isolation to this person. It means that this is an act. A person like Putin would understand that he’s doing something wrong, that he is isolated, that he’s alone, and that the whole world condemns him. That is why I believe that we cannot remain silent. We have to respond. And I always respond because I know what would be the end to that. So I will keep reminding anyone we have context with, and I think this is important,” he added.
Responding to the questions on whether he would visit India after PM Modi extended him invitation, Zelenskyy said, “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 meet together again. And if our meeting will be in India, I’ll be happy to. I read a lot about your big and great country. It’s very interesting. I will not have time to see your country. It’s a pity because, during the war, I didn’t have time to look and to see. But I think it’s important any way to see your people. I think to understand the country is to understand people also.”
“I don’t think that I will have enough time but anyway, it’s better to be in your country because to find the key to your country and your prime minister is to see your people. I need very much to find a key to your country because I very much need your country on our side… It’s not about your historical choice. But who knows? Maybe your country can be the key to this diplomatic influence. That’s why I’ll be happy to come to India as soon as your government and prime minister are ready to see me,” he added.
PM Modi’s visit comes as the Russia-Ukraine war continues for the third year.
Since the beginning of the war, India has tried to balance its relations between Russia and Ukraine and repeatedly called for ‘peaceful resolution through dialogue’.
Zelenskyy claimed that PM Modi’s visit will strengthen the bilateral ties between India and Ukraine.
Discussing the implications of PM Modi’s visit, Zelenskyy said, “A very good meeting.This is a historic one. I am very thankful to the PM for coming. It’s a good beginning with some practical steps. If he (PM Modi) has ideas (on peace) we will happy to speak about it. But we don’t change our territories on any propositions. PM Modi wants peace more than Putin. The problem is that Putin doesn’t want it. I don’t know what did they speak about when they had meeting. If during the official visit of PM, you attack the children in hospital. So, he had to recognise that he (Russian President) doesn’t respect India or doesn’t control his Army. It means that he doesn’t respect Indian PM.”
“As for the hugs with the PM of India or the handshakes or anything else, it’s the decision made by every leader. I can’t tell you anything about that. I believe that if the leaders of the world are meeting with other leaders who kill people and children, conquer territories, and invade the territories, it means that there is no diplomatic isolation to this person. It means that this is an act. A person like Putin would understand that he’s doing something wrong, that he is isolated, that he’s alone, and that the whole world condemns him. That is why I believe that we cannot remain silent. We have to respond. And I always respond because I know what would be the end to that. So I will keep reminding anyone we have context with, and I think this is important,” he added.
Responding to the questions on whether he would visit India after PM Modi extended him invitation, Zelenskyy said, “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 meet together again. And if our meeting will be in India, I’ll be happy to. I read a lot about your big and great country. It’s very interesting. I will not have time to see your country. It’s a pity because, during the war, I didn’t have time to look and to see. But I think it’s important any way to see your people. I think to understand the country is to understand people also.”
“I don’t think that I will have enough time but anyway, it’s better to be in your country because to find the key to your country and your prime minister is to see your people. I need very much to find a key to your country because I very much need your country on our side… It’s not about your historical choice. But who knows? Maybe your country can be the key to this diplomatic influence. That’s why I’ll be happy to come to India as soon as your government and prime minister are ready to see me,” he added.
PM Modi’s visit comes as the Russia-Ukraine war continues for the third year.
Since the beginning of the war, India has tried to balance its relations between Russia and Ukraine and repeatedly called for ‘peaceful resolution through dialogue’.
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