‘Grateful’: Zelensky Meets Jaishankar, Hails India’s Push for Peace in Ukraine War

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky met External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar in Kyiv and thanked India for its efforts to help end what he described as Russia’s “unjust war” against Ukraine.

Zelensky said the two leaders discussed several “important issues” and highlighted India’s position that the conflict must end and peace must be restored.

“Held a meeting with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of India, Subrahmanyam Jaishankar. We discussed important issues. We are grateful to India for its desire to end this unjust war—the war of Russia against Ukraine. This time must certainly not be a time of war. Peace is needed. This is India’s clear position,” Zelensky said in a post on X, sharing pictures from the meeting.

Jaishankar is on an official visit to Kyiv. Earlier on Thursday, he said India was ready to assist efforts to end the Ukraine conflict, adding that New Delhi was willing to mediate if required.

India has consistently called for dialogue and diplomacy to resolve the Russia-Ukraine war and restore peace in the region.

Zelensky also said that Russia launched Shahed drones during Jaishankar’s visit, alleging that the drones could not have been developed without Iranian assistance. He added that the Indian delegation remained safe due to Ukraine’s combat aviation.

Welcoming India’s position, Zelensky said he hoped “other strong states in the world will also take a clear position that this war needs to end and a reliable peace is required.”

The two leaders also discussed the situation in the Black Sea and threats to civilian shipping. Zelensky said they agreed that disrupting food supplies to regions dependent on maritime routes was “absolutely unacceptable”.

He accused Russia of attempting to block Ukrainian ports, the grain corridor and other supplies, saying such actions were causing major disruption to global relations.

Jaishankar said his discussions with Zelensky “centered on approaches to end the ongoing conflict”.

‘India ready to help end war’

Speaking to reporters in Kyiv alongside Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, Jaishankar said India was prepared to assist in any way it could.

“If India can be of any help, in any manner, we are there,” he said.

During his Ukraine visit, Jaishankar is scheduled to hold bilateral consultations with Sybiha as well as Polish Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski, according to the Ministry of External Affairs.