- Following Putin's warm encounter, Modi from India has been exerting pressure on Zelensky.
Right after the stir caused by his controversial hug with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. During their first-ever encounter, an Indian prime minister in independent Ukraine, Modi also shared a hug with the 45-year-old Zelensky. The visit included a stop at a memorial honoring fallen Ukrainian children, where Modi left a teddy bear.
India, a country known for its vast population, adheres to an unbiased stance in the ongoing conflict. It does not implement Western sanctions against Moscow and continually pushes for a diplomatic resolution, although no definitive measures have been suggested yet. India maintains cordial relations with both the West and Moscow, which supplies its military equipment, despite efforts to lessen the dependence. Surprisingly, India has emerged as one of the major purchasers of affordable Russian oil during the war period.**
Putin made a visit to India in July - the first such visit since the conflict began. The trip followed Modi's re-election as prime minister, which Russian media interpreted as a show of respect for Russia's relationship with India. The meeting images, which depicted Modi and Putin's embrace, generated widespread attention, causing discomfort in many Western nations. At the time, Zelensky criticized Modi's close relationship with the Kremlin. India, however, defended its actions, while Ukraine sought India's support due to its significant influence in global politics.
Narendra Modi's meeting with Volodymyr Zelensky marked a significant moment in India's diplomatic relations with Ukraine. Despite Zelensky's past criticisms, Modi continued to maintain a cordial relationship with Russia, a key supplier of India's military equipment.
