New Delhi, Aug 12: In a significant diplomatic move ahead of the high-stakes Trump-Putin summit scheduled for August 15 in Alaska, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky held a detailed phone conversation with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The call focused on the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, bilateral cooperation, and India's potential role in facilitating peace.

Zelensky briefed PM Modi on the escalating Russian attacks, including a recent missile strike on a civilian bus station in Zaporizhzhia. He emphasized the urgency of curbing Moscow’s oil exports, which he claimed are fueling the war. Modi reiterated India’s consistent stance on the need for a peaceful resolution and expressed India’s commitment to contributing to global peace efforts.

The timing of the call is seen as strategic, coming just days before former U.S. President Donald Trump meets Russian President Vladimir Putin. Zelensky has already voiced concerns over being excluded from the summit and warned against any territorial concessions involving Ukraine. He stressed that any peace process must include Ukraine directly, rejecting alternative formats.

In a post on X (formerly Twitter), PM Modi expressed satisfaction over the conversation, stating that he was “glad to hear President Zelenskyy’s perspectives” and reaffirmed India’s dedication to strengthening bilateral ties. The two leaders are expected to meet in person next month during the UN General Assembly.

India’s balancing act between its energy ties with Russia and its growing strategic engagement with Ukraine reflects a complex diplomatic landscape. With Trump imposing fresh tariffs on Indian goods over Russian oil imports, the geopolitical stakes are rising.

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