MOSCOW, March 14: Russian President Vladimir Putin has expressed his gratitude to several world leaders, including Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and U.S. President Donald Trump, for their continued attention and efforts in resolving the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
In a press briefing on Thursday, Putin acknowledged the dedication of these leaders, as well as others, for their commitment to bringing peace to the war-torn region, despite the global challenges they face. Putin expressed his appreciation for their contributions toward stopping the conflict and preventing further loss of life.
“I would like to start by offering my sincere thanks to President Trump of the US for his focus on the Ukraine situation. Many state leaders, including President Xi Jinping of China, Prime Minister Modi of India, and the Presidents of Brazil and South Africa, have been dedicating significant time to this issue. We appreciate their contributions, as it is all for the noble cause of stopping the conflict and preventing further loss of life,” Putin stated.
Prime Minister Modi has consistently emphasized India’s commitment to bringing peace to the region, clearly setting India’s stance on the Russia-Ukraine conflict. In his recent meeting with President Trump at the White House, PM Modi reiterated that India is not neutral in this matter, stating that India sides with peace. “This is not an era of war but of dialogue and diplomacy,” PM Modi had said, underscoring India’s diplomatic efforts.
PM Modi has maintained open channels of communication with both Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, repeatedly stressing the need for a peaceful resolution to the conflict. The U.S. has proposed a 30-day ceasefire and urged Russia to accept the deal without any conditions. Putin, while expressing support for the ceasefire, acknowledged that there are “nuances” that need to be addressed and mentioned having “serious questions” about how the proposal would be implemented.
In response, U.S. President Donald Trump referred to Putin’s comments as “promising” but noted that the statement was “not complete,” suggesting that further discussions were necessary.
Meanwhile, Ukraine has agreed to the ceasefire proposal during talks held in Saudi Arabia earlier this week, following growing pressure after a meeting between President Trump and Ukrainian President Zelensky in February.
The war in Ukraine, which began in February 2022, has caused immense devastation, with hundreds of thousands dead or injured and millions displaced. The conflict has led to severe economic and geopolitical tensions between Russia and the West. However, the ongoing ceasefire discussions now offer a glimmer of hope for a resolution.
