Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of war-ravaged Ukraine slammed Prime Minister Narendra Modi for hugging Russian President Vladimir Putin, in a gesture that was seemingly aimed at strengthening the relationship between the two countries. The Ukrainian President said that the hug came in the wake of one of the deadliest attacks by Russia that killed 37, including children. He said PM Modi's gesture was a "devastating blow" to peace efforts.
"In Ukraine, 37 people were killed, three of whom were children, and 170 were injured, including 13 children, as a result of Russia’s brutal missile strike. A Russian missile struck the largest children's hospital in Ukraine, targeting young cancer patients. Many were buried under the rubble. It is a huge disappointment and a devastating blow to peace efforts to see the leader of the world's largest democracy hug the world's most bloody criminal in Moscow on such a day," Zelenskyy said in an X post.
PM Modi is on a two-day visit to Russia for the 22nd annual bilateral summit. The two Heads of State met on Monday night for dinner. PM Modi's visit is expected to put a stamp on Russia's decision to discharge Indians from its military service. The official announcement is likely to come after PM Modi and President Putin's meeting on Tuesday.
PM Modi on Tuesday announced India's intent to open two new consulates in Russia. While addressing the Indian diaspora in Russia, he said the two consulates are likely to come up in Kazan and Yekaterinburg.
While the West has been piling sanctions on Russia, India has refused to take any such steps and has repeatedly asserted that it will act only in the interest of its own citizens. Russia and India have been close allies since the Cold War days. Of late, India, along with China, has become one of the largest buyers of Russian oil.
India's growing friendly ties with Russia are becoming a cause for concern for Ukraine. PM Modi did not mention the Russian strikes in his speech on Tuesday. On the contrary, he highlighted how India and Russia have been all-weather allies and both nations had mutual trust and respect.
According to Zelenskyy, Russia targeted a children's hospital in its latest missile strike that claimed multiple casualties.