Modi speaks to Zelenskyy ahead of Russia-Ukraine talks, offers support for peace efforts

New Delhi: The prime minister, Narendra Modi, spoke with the Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, on Monday, reaffirming India’s readiness to contribute to efforts to end the Russia-Ukraine war through dialogue and diplomacy. The conversation came a day before US-brokered talks involving Ukraine, Russia and the United States were due to begin in Abu Dhabi, amid continuing attacks on energy and civilian infrastructure.

Zelenskyy briefed Modi on recent developments in the conflict, while the prime minister reiterated India’s human centric approach and support for a peaceful resolution, the Prime Minister’s Office said.

Describing the conversation as productive, Modi wrote on X: “We reviewed our wide-ranging bilateral cooperation and agreed to further strengthen India-Ukraine ties.” He also thanked Zelenskyy for sharing his perspective on the war, its humanitarian consequences and efforts to restore peace.

The PMO did not announce any new agreement, specific bilateral initiative or formal Indian mediation role.
Zelenskyy offered additional details of the call, saying Modi had repeatedly urged an end to the fighting, including in conversations with Russian president, Vladimir Putin.

Zelenskyy said he had briefed Modi on preparations for the Abu Dhabi negotiations and urged Russia to demonstrate a similar willingness to de-escalate. Ukraine was preparing for discussions across the proposed agenda, he added.

Zelenskyy said Modi had expressed India’s readiness to help facilitate arrangements for restoring grain exports through the Black Sea, Reuters reported. New Delhi’s official account did not mention such an arrangement, leaving the precise scope of any Indian involvement unclear.

Highlighting food security as a potential area for Indian diplomatic engagement, Zelenskyy wrote on X: “Food security could be one such area.” He also said the two countries would maintain contact regarding the proposed grain corridors.

The issue is expected to feature in the Abu Dhabi negotiations on November 10 and 11, alongside security guarantees and proposals to halt attacks on energy infrastructure. Zelenskyy has identified restoring Black Sea shipping, prisoner exchanges and an energy ceasefire among Kyiv’s priorities.

The diplomatic push comes as fighting continues. Russian strikes hit four Ukrainian electrical substations on Monday, while an attack on a food warehouse in Odesa killed three people, Ukrainian officials said.

Ukrainian drones also struck the KINEF oil refinery near St Petersburg, causing a fire, the Associated Press reported. Neither side has announced a broader ceasefire ahead of the negotiations.

India’s contact with Kyiv follows external affairs minister, S Jaishankar’s, September visit to Ukraine, where he met Zelenskyy and foreign minister, Andrii Sybiha, and discussed prospects for ending the war.

During that engagement, the leaders also addressed commercial shipping, food exports and bilateral economic ties. New Delhi has continued speaking with both Kyiv and Moscow, drawing on its longstanding relationship with Russia while publicly advocating a negotiated settlement.

The latest call reinforces that diplomatic approach but does not itself establish a new peace process or make India a mediator in the wider conflict. Its immediate significance lies in maintaining contact with Ukraine as renewed negotiations approach and in highlighting a potential role for India on Black Sea trade.