'If Modi's Ukraine Trip Can...': What US Said On PM Meeting Zelenskyy In Kyiv 6 Weeks After Hugging Putin

The White House called PM Modi's historic visit 'potentially helpful' amid the ongoing war with Russia.

The United States on Friday reacted to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to war-torn Ukraine and called it “potentially helpful”. PM Modi on Friday landed in Ukraine after a seven-hour train journey from Poland.

Modi is the first Indian PM  to visit the country since bilateral relations were established in 1992. On Friday, the White House said that PM Modi's visit to Ukraine could be helpful if it can work towards ending the conflict. This comes after he grabbed eyeballs for hugging President Vladimir Putin in Moscow during his Russia visit.

Speaking to reporters, National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said, If Modi's Ukraine trip can work towards "getting us to an end to the conflict that comports with President (Volodymyr) Zelensky's vision for a just peace, well, then we think that would be helpful," as quoted by AFP.

During his bilateral meeting, PM Modi told President Zelenskyy that both Ukraine and Russia should sit together without wasting time to find ways to end the ongoing war and that India was on the side of peace since the beginning of the conflict.

In his talks with Ukrainian President Zelenskyy in Kyiv, the Prime Minister said that New Delhi is ever ready to play an “active role” in every effort to restore peace in Ukraine and he would even like to contribute personally in ending the conflict.

During separate events, PM Modi presented four BHISHM (Bharat Health Initiative for Sahyog Hita and Maitri) Cubes to the Ukrainian government; visited the multimedia Martyrologist Exposition on children at the National Museum of History of Ukraine to pay his respects, and paid tributes to Mahatma Gandhi at his statue in the ‘Oasis of Peace’ park.

Modi also interacted with Ukrainian students who are learning the Hindi language at the School of Oriental Studies in Kyiv. He appreciated the scholarship of the students and their contribution to promoting mutual understanding between the people of the two countries. Modi also commended their efforts to bring Indian culture and history closer to the Ukrainian people.