Prime Minister Modi spoke to the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, over the phone today. The phone call lasted for about 35 minutes. The two leaders discussed the situation in Ukraine. Indian government sources said the Prime Minister appreciated the ongoing direct talks between Russia and Ukraine.
PM Modi thanked President Zelensky for the assistance extended by the Government of Ukraine in the evacuation of Indian nationals from Ukraine. The Prime Minister also sought the continued support of the Ukrainian government in the ongoing efforts to evacuate Indian nationals from Sumi.
Efforts intensify to rescue Indian students trapped in Sumi
On Sunday, the Indian embassy in Kyiv said that its team is stationed in Poltava City to safely transport Indian students stranded in Sumi to the western borders via Poltava and a specific time and date for this would be issued soon. The embassy also asked the students to be ready to leave at short notice. Meanwhile, following a request from French President Emmanuel Macron, Russia on Monday announced a ceasefire from 12.30 pm Indian time to open humanitarian corridors for foreigners stranded in Ukraine.
PM Modi will also talk to Russian President Putin
PM Modi is also scheduled to talk to Russian President Vladimir Putin in the afternoon on Monday. This will be the third meeting between Modi and Putin after the war between Russia and Ukraine broke out while Zelensky will be talking to him for the second time. Earlier, Zelensky and Modi had a phone conversation on 26 January. India has appealed to the top leaders of Russia and Ukraine to end the war immediately and resolve differences through dialogue and diplomacy.