PM Modi, Zelenskyy discuss Ukraine conflict ahead of SCO summit; talks follow Trump, Putin meetings

During the call, Zelenskyy briefed Modi about his recent discussions with US President Donald Trump in Washington.

The exchange between the two leaders came on the eve of Modi’s planned meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Tianjin, where both are attending the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit.

“Prime Minister Narendra Modi had a telephone conversation today with the President of Ukraine, H.E. Mr Volodymyr Zelenskyy. President Zelenskyy shared his perspective on the recent developments related to Ukraine,” the PMO noted.

Modi reiterated India’s consistent stance that peaceful negotiations were essential for ending the conflict and reaffirmed support for efforts to restore stability.

On X (formerly Twitter), the Prime Minister said: “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.”

Zelenskyy also shared a positive assessment of the discussion, describing it as “a productive and important conversation.”

In his post, he added: “I spoke with Prime Minister of India @NarendraModi. 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 reaffirmed its readiness for a meeting with the head of Russia.”

In Washington earlier this month, Zelenskyy told Trump he was prepared to hold elections once peace was restored, while Trump expressed optimism that his own talks with Putin could pave the way for progress.

Putin, too, spoke to Modi recently and shared details of his August 15 meeting with Trump in Alaska, where the two leaders discussed a potential ceasefire in the Ukraine war.

Despite this, Zelenskyy voiced frustration over Russia’s continued airstrikes.

“Almost two weeks have passed (since Alaska meet), and during this time, when Russia should have been preparing for diplomacy, Moscow has given no positive signal – only carried out cynical strikes on civilian targets and killed dozens of our people,” he wrote, while thanking Modi for his condolences to victims’ families.

He further noted that he and Modi coordinated their positions ahead of the SCO summit, stressing: “The end of this war must begin with an immediate ceasefire, with the necessary silence.”

The 25th SCO summit begins Sunday in Tianjin, China, with leaders of India, Russia, and China participating.

Modi is also expected to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping and Putin on the sidelines, with the Ukraine conflict and US tariffs on India likely to dominate the discussions.

Meanwhile, Trump continues to push for direct dialogue between Putin and Zelenskyy.

The US president had vowed during his 2024 campaign to bring an end to the Ukraine war, which has now stretched for more than three and a half years.