Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to engage in discussions with President Volodymyr Zelensky during his historic visit to Ukraine
During his historic visit to the war-torn nation, Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Kyiv on Friday. The two leaders exchanged a warm hug and shook hands at the entrance of the Martyrologist Exposition at the Ukraine National Museum, before proceeding to a scheduled bilateral meeting at the Mariinsky presidential palace.
Zelensky shared a video on X, stating, “Today in Kyiv, Prime Minister @NarendraModi and I paid tribute to the children who lost their lives due to Russian aggression. Every child, in every country, deserves to live in safety. We must make this a reality.
Why is Prime Minister Modi’s visit to Ukraine considered historic?
Modi’s visit marks the first time an Indian prime minister has set foot in Ukraine since diplomatic relations were established over 30 years ago.
This visit is particularly significant as Modi is anticipated to push for a diplomatic solution to the ongoing Ukraine-Russia conflict, a resolution that seems increasingly challenging following Ukraine’s unexpected offensive into Russia’s western Kursk region.
“Before arriving in Kyiv, Prime Minister Modi made a stop in Poland on Thursday, where he called for intensified diplomatic efforts to end the war.
Today in Kyiv, Prime Minister @NarendraModi and I honored the memory of the children whose lives were taken by Russian aggression.
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) August 23, 2024
Children in every country deserve to live in safety. We must make this possible. pic.twitter.com/gKdjqcL5iz
“No problem can be resolved on a battlefield,” Modi said ahead of his visit, adding that India supports “dialogue and diplomacy for restoration of peace and stability as soon as possible.
Even though India hasn’t been quick to openly criticize Russia’s invasion, Modi has been pretty clear about wanting both Russia and Ukraine to sort things out through talks.
His trip to Kyiv is viewed by many as a way to balance diplomatic relations, especially since his earlier visit to Russia raised eyebrows in the West . Recently, Zelensky took a jab at Modi for embracing Putin during his Moscow visit in July, calling that encounter a “huge disappointment and a devastating blow to peace efforts.”
After a long train ride of nearly 10 hours from Poland, Modi arrived in Kyiv to a warm welcome from the Indian community at the Hyatt Hotel. He also took time to visit the Martyrologist Exposition at the Ukraine National Museum, where he met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
