Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to travel to Kyiv in August, marking his first visit to Ukraine since the outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine war in 2022. The visit, anticipated to occur in the third week of August, is likely scheduled for August 23, according to sources within Delhi’s diplomatic circles.

The visit comes in response to an invitation from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, following recent high-level talks between Indian and Ukrainian officials. Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba, along with National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and his Ukrainian counterpart Andriy Yermak, have engaged in discussions aimed at strengthening bilateral relations.

Modi’s visit will be his second face-to-face meeting with Zelensky since the war started. The Indian Prime Minister previously met Zelensky during the G7 summit in Japan and again in June 2024 in Italy, where he emphasized the need for “dialogue and diplomacy” to resolve the conflict.

Due to Ukrainian airspace closures, Modi is expected to travel via Poland and meet with Polish leaders, including Prime Minister Donald Tusk, before arriving in Kyiv. 

The upcoming visit to Kyiv follows Modi’s recent trip to Russia in June for the annual Russia summit. During his visit, Modi and President Vladimir Putin discussed various issues, including the ongoing Ukraine conflict. Modi’s remarks at the Kremlin emphasized the humanitarian impact of the war, reflecting India’s nuanced stance on the conflict.

India’s relationship with Russia, historically strong in areas such as defense, space cooperation, and educational exchanges, remains a key component of its foreign policy. Modi is scheduled to visit Russia’s Kazan in October for the BRICS summit, further highlighting the continued importance of India’s ties with Russia.