Zelensky asks Modi to mediate peace in Russo-Ukraine War

Colombo (News 1st) - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has sought Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s help with implementing a “peace formula” to end the Ukraine-Russia War, Zelensky said in a Tweet.

The request was made during a phone call on Monday between Zelensky and Modi, Zelensky said. It is a significant development since India has maintained an independently neutral stance on the war and has not distanced itself from Moscow despite pressure from Western nations that are aligned with Ukraine. India is the second largest buyer of Russian oil, after China.

Last month Zelensky asked the G20 nations, which comprise the 20 largest economies in the world, to accept Ukraine's 10-point peace formula. India currently holds the presidency of the G20, which rotates annually.

The Indian government said in a statement that Modi had agreed to support any peace effort. The Indian PM and Zelenskyy “exchanged views about the ongoing conflict in Ukraine”, and that Modi “strongly reiterated his call for an immediate cessation of hostilities, and said that both sides should revert to dialogue and diplomacy to find a lasting solution to their differences”, Indian media reported.