India Balances Ties with Russia, US Tariffs, and Push for Peace in Ukraine as PM Modi Speaks To Ukraine’s Zelenskyy Ahead of SCO Summit
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday received a phone call from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. He stated India’s support for efforts aimed at achieving a peaceful settlement to the Ukraine conflict.
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| File Photo Source: Velina Tchakarova |
Thank President Zelenskyy for his phone call today. We exchanged views on the ongoing conflict, its humanitarian aspect, and efforts to restore peace and stability. India extends full support to all efforts in this direction. @ZelenskyyUa
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 30, 2025
In a post on X, PM Modi wrote: “Thank President Zelenskyy for his phone call today. We exchanged views on the ongoing conflict, its humanitarian aspect, and efforts to restore peace and stability. India extends full support to all efforts in this direction.”
A statement from the Prime Minister’s Office added that the leaders reviewed progress in the India–Ukraine bilateral partnership and discussed avenues for further cooperation.
Zelenskyy, in his own post, said he had briefed Modi on recent talks in Washington with U.S. President Donald Trump and European leaders, which he described as productive and focused on achieving “real peace.”
He expressed disappointment that Moscow had offered “no positive signal” during this time and instead carried out “cynical strikes on civilian targets” that killed dozens of Ukrainians. The Ukrainian President thanked Modi for conveying condolences to the families of victims of recent attacks.
I spoke with Prime Minister of India @NarendraModi.
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) August 30, 2025
I informed about the talks with President Trump in Washington with the participation of European leaders. It was a productive and important conversation, a shared vision among partners on how to achieve real peace. Ukraine… pic.twitter.com/fINVbncnlR
According to Zelenskyy, the two leaders also coordinated positions ahead of the SCO summit. He reiterated Ukraine’s demand for an immediate ceasefire, stating that “it is impossible to speak meaningfully about peace while our cities and communities are under constant fire.”
He said India had indicated readiness to make necessary efforts and deliver signals to Russia and other leaders during the summit discussions.
The Ukrainian President also confirmed that the conversation covered bilateral relations, including preparations for an exchange of visits and a meeting of the Joint Intergovernmental Commission. He said he looked forward to meeting Modi in person “in the near future.”
The exchange comes at a sensitive diplomatic moment. India, while maintaining strong energy and defence ties with Russia, has consistently positioned itself as a supporter of dialogue and de-escalation in the conflict.
At the same time, New Delhi is facing U.S. tariffs of more than 50 per cent, imposed as a penalty for its continued imports of Russian crude oil. Washington has accused India of “funding the war,” a charge India has rejected as “unjustified and unreasonable.”