Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky on Monday said that he spoke with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and called on for implementation of a “peace formula” that he had announced earlier on the G20 platform.
The two leaders discussed opportunities for strengthening bilateral cooperation. PM Modi requested the Ukraine authorities to facilitate arrangements for the continuation of the education of Indian students who had to return from Ukraine earlier this year.
The leaders also exchanged views about the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. PM Modi strongly reiterated his call for an immediate cessation of hostilities, and said that both sides should revert to dialogue and diplomacy to find a lasting solution to their differences. The Prime Minister also conveyed India's support for any peace efforts, and assured India's commitment to continue providing humanitarian assistance for affected civilian population.
"I had a phone call with PM Modi & 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," the Ukrainian President tweeted.
India formally assumed the G20 Presidency on December 1.
The G20 or Group of 20 is an intergovernmental forum of the world’s major developed and developing economies and comprises Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, South Korea, Turkey, the UK, the US and the European Union (EU).
Zelensky in November had outlined a 10-point ‘formula for peace’ at the Bali G20 summit. “Ukraine should not be offered to compromise its conscience, sovereignty, territory, and independence,” he had said.
His 10-point formula covered the areas of Radiation and nuclear safety, food security, energy security, release of all prisoners and deportees from Russia, implementation of the UN Charter and restoration of Ukraine’s territorial integrity and the world order, withdrawal of Russian troops and end of hostilities, justice, immediate protection of the environment from attack on Ukraine’s ecology, prevention of escalation, and confirmation of the end of the war.
In a phone conversation with Zelenskyy on October 4, Modi said there can be "no military solution" and that India is ready to contribute to any peace efforts.
India is yet to condemn the Russian invasion of Ukraine and has been maintaining that the crisis must be resolved through diplomacy and dialogue.
On Monday, Ukraine also called for Russia's removal from the United Nations. Zelenskyy reasoned that as a permanent member of the Security Council, Russia can veto any resolution. Hence, its removal was necessary.
Russian President Vladimir Putin on Sunday said that Moscow was ready for talks to end the Russia-Ukraine war. He alleged that the Western countries were trying to “tear apart the historical Russia”.
(With inputs from PTI.)