Zelenskyy Calls PM Modi Ahead of SCO Summit, Urges India’s Role in Ukraine Peace Efforts

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy spoke with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday, urging India’s involvement in efforts to end the war in Ukraine just two days before Modi’s scheduled meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin on the sidelines of the SCO Summit in Tianjin, China.

“Thank President Zelenskyy for his phone call today. We exchanged views on the ongoing conflict, its humanitarian aspect, and efforts to restore peace and stability. India extends full support to all efforts in this direction,” Modi said in a social media post after the call.

In his own statement, Zelenskyy said he briefed Modi on his recent talks with US President Donald Trump and European leaders in Washington. “It was a productive and important conversation, a shared vision among partners on how to achieve real peace. Ukraine reaffirmed its readiness for a meeting with the head of Russia,” he noted.

This was Zelenskyy’s second call to Modi in recent weeks. The Ukrainian leader last spoke with him on August 11, shortly after Putin had also reached out to the Indian prime minister. New Delhi has previously acted as a channel for messages between Moscow and Kyiv.

Zelenskyy said his latest outreach was aimed at coordinating positions ahead of the SCO Summit, stressing that “the end of this war must begin with an immediate ceasefire. It is impossible to speak meaningfully about peace while our cities and communities are under constant fire.”

A government readout confirmed that Modi reiterated India’s “steadfast and consistent position” favoring dialogue and a peaceful settlement, while assuring “all possible support” for initiatives to restore stability.

The call came as the Trump administration has intensified criticism of India’s continued purchases of Russian oil. White House trade adviser Peter Navarro accused New Delhi of “profiteering” and indirectly financing Russia’s war effort.

Zelenskyy also thanked Modi for his condolences over recent civilian casualties in Ukraine, saying Russia had shown “no positive signal” since his meeting with Trump, only “cynical strikes on civilian targets.”

Beyond the war, the two leaders reviewed progress in the India-Ukraine partnership, including preparations for exchanges of visits and a meeting of the Joint Intergovernmental Commission. “There is potential we can realise. I will be glad to meet the Prime Minister in the near future,” Zelenskyy added.