Modi and Zelenskyy discuss the Ukraine situation and the evacuation of Indians
According to government sources, Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke by phone with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Monday morning, during which the two leaders discussed the evolving situation in Ukraine. In the afternoon, Modi will meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
During their conversation, Modi and Zelenskyy discussed the evolving situation in Ukraine, which has been under Russian attack since February 24 and has seen intense fighting in major cities.
According to sources, the phone call lasted approximately 35 minutes. “The two leaders discussed the evolving situation in Ukraine,” the statement continued. “I appreciate the ongoing direct dialogue between Russia and Ukraine,” Modi said. He also expressed gratitude to Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko for “the assistance extended by the Government of Ukraine in the evacuation of Indian nationals from Ukraine.”
The Prime Minister also asked for the Ukrainian government’s continued assistance in the ongoing evacuation of Indian nationals from Sumy, where hundreds of students remain trapped. This is Modi’s second meeting with Zelenskyy since the invasion.
Thousands of Indian nationals, the majority of whom are medical students, have returned from Ukraine via neighbouring countries. Hundreds of thousands of Ukrainians have fled the conflict, and Indian nationals have joined them in countries such as Romania, Poland, and Moldova. The government has organised civil and Indian Air Force aircraft to repatriate stranded Indian nationals as part of Operation Ganga. The final stage of the operation began on Sunday.
India has voted against Russia in the United Nations Security Council and General Assembly on the issue. It has, however, stated that it is deeply disturbed by the recent turn of events in Ukraine and has urged both parties to engage in dialogue.
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