Ukraine’s Zelenskyy Meets S Jaishankar in Kyiv, Backs India’s Peace Efforts

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv on Thursday during his one-day visit to the country, with discussions centred on India’s position on ending the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

Jaishankar’s visit came shortly after Prime Minister Narendra Modi conveyed to Russian President Vladimir Putin that India remains willing to contribute to efforts aimed at bringing an end to the war.

Following the meeting, Zelenskyy said Ukraine appreciated India’s commitment to peace and reiterated that the conflict must not be allowed to continue.

“We are grateful to India for its commitment to ending this unjust war,” Zelenskyy said in a social media post, adding that peace was needed and that this remained India’s clear position.

Zelenskyy also claimed that Russia launched jet-powered Shahed drones at Ukraine with Iranian assistance during Jaishankar’s visit. He said Ukrainian fighter jets managed to intercept most of the drones.

Black Sea Shipping Also Discussed

The two leaders also discussed the security situation in the Black Sea, particularly threats to civilian shipping and the impact of disruptions on global food supplies.

Zelenskyy said blocking food routes was unacceptable, especially for regions that depend heavily on maritime supplies. He accused Russia of obstructing Ukrainian ports and the country’s food corridor, warning that such disruptions could have wider international consequences.

He also urged countries around the world to adopt a clear position on the conflict and cooperate to strengthen regional and global security.

Jaishankar Raises Safety of Indian Seafarers

During his Ukraine visit, Jaishankar reiterated India’s willingness to support efforts aimed at finding a peaceful resolution to the conflict.

He said the Russia-Ukraine war had entered its fifth year and stressed India’s long-standing position that this is not an era of war and that solutions cannot be achieved through the battlefield.

Jaishankar also highlighted the safety concerns faced by Indian seafarers amid attacks on commercial vessels in the region.

“Indian seafarers man ships of many flags and have been among the unfortunate casualties,” he said, noting that disruptions to shipping were also affecting countries across the Global South through shortages of fuel, fertilisers and food.

According to the Ministry of External Affairs, Jaishankar’s visit was aimed at strengthening India-Ukraine bilateral ties while providing an opportunity for both sides to exchange views on regional developments and matters of mutual interest.