Zelensky criticizes Modi-Putin meeting amidst tragedy in Kyiv
In a statement that reverberated across diplomatic circles, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky condemned Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent visit to Russia as a “huge disappointment and a devastating blow to peace efforts.” Zelensky’s remarks followed a tragic incident where a Russian missile struck a children’s hospital in Kyiv, resulting in the loss of at least 29 innocent lives.
Prime Minister Modi’s visit to Russia, his first since the onset of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, included an informal meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin at his official residence in Novo-Ogaryovo, outside Moscow. The visit took place amidst ongoing conflict in Ukraine, drawing criticism from Zelensky who met Modi just last month during the G7 summit.
In a post on a social media platform, Zelensky expressed his dismay over Modi’s warm reception of Putin, stating, “It is a huge disappointment and a devastating blow to peace efforts to see the leader of the world’s largest democracy hug the world’s most bloody criminal in Moscow on such a day.”
During their meeting, Modi and Putin exchanged pleasantries over tea and toured the expansive estate grounds, with Putin personally chauffeuring Modi in a golf cart. The camaraderie between the two leaders was evident, despite international calls for solidarity with Ukraine.
Zelensky’s critique coincided with the heartbreaking attack on the children’s hospital in Kyiv, which drew global condemnation. Reports indicate that the missile strike caused widespread destruction and claimed the lives of 29 civilians, underscoring the humanitarian crisis exacerbated by the ongoing conflict.
Sources close to the Indian delegation reported that Modi emphasized the need for dialogue and diplomacy to resolve the Ukraine crisis, stressing that a military solution would only exacerbate the suffering of civilians. Ahead of his meeting with Putin, the United States had urged India to emphasize the importance of respecting Ukraine’s territorial integrity and sovereignty, in line with international norms.
The meeting between Modi and Putin comes amid heightened tensions and escalating humanitarian concerns in Ukraine, prompting global leaders to seek constructive dialogue and efforts towards peace amidst the ongoing crisis.
As international reactions continue to unfold, the world watches closely for developments that could shape the trajectory of peace efforts in the region.
