New Delhi. Prime Minister Narendra Modi today had a telephone conversation with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. President Zelensky shared information about recent developments related to the Russia-Ukraine war with PM Modi. PM Modi wrote on SMS, happy to have a fruitful telephone conversation with President Zelensky. We reviewed our extensive bilateral cooperation and agreed to further strengthen India-Ukraine relations. President Zelensky shared views on the Russia-Ukraine conflict, its humanitarian aspects and various efforts to restore peace. I reiterated India's determination to make every possible contribution towards a peaceful resolution of the war.
Zelensky said that he spoke to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and informed him about recent diplomatic developments. We are actively preparing for every issue on the agenda of the meeting in Abu Dhabi. Ukraine has always adopted a positive approach and Russia should also show the same readiness to reduce tensions. Zelensky said, Prime Minister Modi has said many times, and even directly to Russian leader Putin, that now is the time to end the war, not to continue it.
Zelensky said that we discussed how Russia has stopped the export of grain through the Black Sea. India stands ready to mediate in establishing 'food corridors', and we hope that these efforts will continue. We agreed that our teams will remain in touch with each other on the Russia conflict and other bilateral issues. Russia should understand that the closure of sea routes is affecting the global economy and millions of people around the world.