Modi to deliver message from Putin to Zelenskyy during visit to Ukraine - Bloomberg

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is going to visit Ukraine, allegedly refused to mediate between Kyiv and the aggressor country Russia on the issue of ending the war. However, he has agreed to deliver "messages" between President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Russian dictator Putin.

Bloomberg reported this on Monday, August 19, citing sources. The journalists recalled that Indian officials had called for "dialogue and diplomacy" to end the war started by Russia.

"Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to visit Kyiv on Friday in an attempt to balance ties with Washington and Moscow, but has ruled out a role mediating an end to Russia’s war in Ukraine, according to people familiar with the matter. The South Asian nation has, however, agreed to relay messages between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelenskiy," the article says.

The media suggested that Modi's reluctance to mediate in ending the war is partly due to India's dependence on Russia for cheap oil and weapons. New Delhi has refrained from criticizing Moscow for the invasion, which has been going on for three years, and has increased its purchases of Russian oil to record levels.

At the same time, journalists' sources noted that it is important for Zelenskyy to meet with Modi to discuss India's role in restoring peace. This country was central to the Ukrainian president's efforts to win over the countries of the so-called Global South.

"The meeting with Modi is unlikely to yield any major announcements, though several agreements including in agriculture and defense are in the works, people familiar with the agenda said. Before reaching Ukraine, Modi will also visit Poland, a first by an Indian leader in over four decades," Bloomberg writes.

As was reported, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Ukraine on August 23, the Day of the National Flag of Ukraine. This will be the first visit of the Indian Prime Minister to Ukraine in the history of bilateral relations.

In early July, Narendra Modi visited Russia and held talks with dictator Putin. The Indian prime minister called for a dialogue to end the war in Ukraine.

Zelenskyy criticized Modi's meeting with Putin, calling it a "crushing blow to peace efforts". "It's depressing to see the leader of the world's largest democracy hugging the world's most notorious criminal in Moscow," he said.

The Indian Foreign Ministry then summoned Ukraine's ambassador over Zelenskyy's remarks about Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Moscow.

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