- Jaishankar held talks with Ukrainian counterpart Andrii Sybiha in Kyiv, offering India's help to end the war.
- Jaishankar met President Zelenskyy and informed him about the discussions with Ukraine's foreign minister.
- Jaishankar stated India will continue buying Russian oil despite Ukraine's concerns, citing energy needs for 1.4 billion people.
- Zelenskyy expressed gratitude for India's commitment to ending the war, acknowledging that peace is needed.
- Prime Minister Modi had declared that the endless war must give way to an end during a meeting with Russian President Putin in Bishkek two days prior.
- Jaishankar emphasized that every passing day brings more deaths and destruction, and while it is for the parties to find a way, India is ready to help if possible.
- Jaishankar mentioned the killing of an Indian national in a Kyiv attack two days prior, expressing condolences for all lives lost.
- Jaishankar stated that the conflict, now in its fifth year, will not be solved by buying or not buying oil, but by dialogue, diplomacy, and negotiation.
- Jaishankar emphasized the challenge of providing energy for 1.4 billion people amid a difficult global energy situation.
- India has faced criticism from the US and European countries over its purchases of Russian crude since Moscow's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
- Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha welcomed India's role, calling it a global power and welcoming PM Modi's call to move from endless war to an end to the war.
India's External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar stated in Kyiv that India is prepared to offer "any help in any manner" to resolve the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict, which has now entered its fifth year.123678910
Jaishankar's remarks came during discussions with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, where he emphasized the need for dialogue and diplomacy to end the war.4
"Every passing day of conflict only means more deaths and more destruction. Understandably, it is for the parties involved to find a way. But, if India can be of any help in any manner, we are ready," Jaishankar said.
He reiterated Prime Minister Modi's recent call for an end to the war, made during a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Jaishankar noted, "This conflict will be solved by dialogue, by diplomacy, by negotiation, and that is why it is something we would encourage."
Despite Ukraine's concerns, Jaishankar defended India's continued purchase of Russian oil, stating, "You know, this conflict... will not be solved because somebody is buying or not buying oil..." He highlighted the challenges of providing energy for 1.4 billion people amid a difficult global energy situation.
Zelenskyy expressed gratitude for India's commitment to ending the war, stating, "This certainly must not be a time of war. Peace is needed. This is India’s clear position."
India has faced criticism from the US and European nations over its Russian oil purchases since the invasion began in 2022, but maintains that securing affordable energy is a key responsibility.
“Jaishankar's offer follows PM Modi's call in Bishkek that the 'endless war' must give way to an 'end to war.' He also stressed that the conflict, now in its fifth year, will be resolved through dialogue, diplomacy, and negotiation, not by oil purchases.”
Deccan Herald
