After the hug with Putin: Modi meets Zelenskyj

India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi has met Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyj. On site in Kiev, he promises that India will contribute with humanitarian aid to Ukraine.

» Updated: September 07 2024

» Published: August 23 2024

After the hug with Putin: Modi meets Zelenskyj
Photo: Indiens regeringskansli via AP/TT

Share this article

The meeting with Zelenskyj, which takes place the day after Modi's visit to Poland, began with the two visiting a memorial site for children who lost their lives in the war. Thereafter, they sat down for a meeting where Modi promised humanitarian support to Ukraine.

Regardless of what kind of help is required from a humanitarian perspective, India will always stand by your side and will go beyond the ordinary to support you, he says.

Hugs

Assessors predicted before the meeting that it would be chilly – after Modi recently hugged Russia's President Vladimir Putin in Moscow. But in a video that Volodymyr Zelenskyj published on X, he is also seen shaking hands and hugging the Indian leader.

This is the first time an Indian Prime Minister visits Ukraine.

Zelenskyj's chief of staff Andrij Jermak calls Modi's visit historic and says that Ukraine expects India to play a role in ending the war and achieving a "just peace".

Modi has not condemned Russia's invasion of Ukraine, but has repeatedly spoken about the need for a solution to the conflict and presented himself as a potential peacemaker.

We were not neutral from day one – we have chosen a side, and we stand for peace, he says.

Wants Dialogue

A diplomatic breakthrough, however, seems far away, regardless of how one views Ukraine's incursion into Russian territory last week.

According to Zelenskyj, "a number of documents" are being signed in connection with today's meeting. The President has previously directed sharp criticism towards Modi for his seemingly warm meeting with Putin in July, which took place hours after a Russian missile hit a children's hospital in Kiev and killed nearly 40 people.

Before Friday's meeting, Modi and Zelenskyj last met during the G7 meeting in Italy in June. Even then, Modi is said to have emphasized the importance of dialogue and diplomacy in relation to the war.

Tags

Author

TTT
By TTEnglish edition by Sweden Herald, adapted for local and international readers

More news

Appeals Court Allows Alligator Alcatraz Detention Center to Stay Open
1 MIN READ

Appeals Court Allows Alligator Alcatraz Detention Center to Stay Open

Biden Undergoes Skin Cancer Surgery, Confirms Spokesperson
1 MIN READ

Biden Undergoes Skin Cancer Surgery, Confirms Spokesperson

Nadine Dorries Leaves Tories for Reform Party in Political Shift
2 MIN READ

Nadine Dorries Leaves Tories for Reform Party in Political Shift

Seven Stabbed in Canada; One Dead in Winnipeg Area
1 MIN READ

Seven Stabbed in Canada; One Dead in Winnipeg Area

Porcelain Worth 100 Million Kronor Stolen from French Museum
1 MIN READ

Porcelain Worth 100 Million Kronor Stolen from French Museum

Israel Claims Control of 40% of Gaza City Amid Ongoing Conflict
2 MIN READ

Israel Claims Control of 40% of Gaza City Amid Ongoing Conflict

Washington DC Files Lawsuit Against Trump Administration Over Police Control
1 MIN READ

Washington DC Files Lawsuit Against Trump Administration Over Police Control

15 Dead in New Ebola Outbreak in Congo-Kinshasa
1 MIN READ

15 Dead in New Ebola Outbreak in Congo-Kinshasa

EU Official Teresa Ribera Labels Gaza Events as Genocide
1 MIN READ

EU Official Teresa Ribera Labels Gaza Events as Genocide

Danish Refugee Council Workers Killed in Russian Attack in Ukraine
1 MIN READ

Danish Refugee Council Workers Killed in Russian Attack in Ukraine

Giorgio Armani's Lasting Impact on Fashion Industry
1 MIN READ

Giorgio Armani's Lasting Impact on Fashion Industry

Giorgio Armani Dies at 91: Fashion World Mourns Iconic Designer
3 MIN READ

Giorgio Armani Dies at 91: Fashion World Mourns Iconic Designer

Car Hits Pedestrians in Berlin, Injuring Children
1 MIN READ

Car Hits Pedestrians in Berlin, Injuring Children

Powerful New Earthquake Strikes Southeastern Afghanistan
1 MIN READ

Powerful New Earthquake Strikes Southeastern Afghanistan

26 Nations Commit to Sending Troops to Ukraine for Ceasefire Support
2 MIN READ

26 Nations Commit to Sending Troops to Ukraine for Ceasefire Support

Venezuela Accuses US of Extrajudicial Killings in Boat Incident
1 MIN READ

Venezuela Accuses US of Extrajudicial Killings in Boat Incident

Xi and Kim Highlight Unshakeable Friendship in Beijing Meeting
1 MIN READ

Xi and Kim Highlight Unshakeable Friendship in Beijing Meeting

Israel Vows Severe Response to Houthi Missile Attacks
1 MIN READ

Israel Vows Severe Response to Houthi Missile Attacks

Thailand Court Blocks Parliament Dissolution Amid Political Turmoil
1 MIN READ

Thailand Court Blocks Parliament Dissolution Amid Political Turmoil

Trump Urges Europe to Halt Russian Oil Purchases and Pressure China
2 MIN READ

Trump Urges Europe to Halt Russian Oil Purchases and Pressure China