Modi implores tense Putin to end Ukraine war

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi implored Russian President Vladimir Putin to cease the war in Ukraine during a meeting in Kyrgyzstan on Monday. Modi referred to Putin as "my friend" and highlighted the economic progress between the two nations before addressing the war situation. He emphasized that every day the conflict persists, humanity regresses, whereas every step towards peace offers hope for a peaceful future.

Modi urged a shift from endless war to an end of hostilities, invoking the examples of Mahatma Gandhi and Mother Teresa. Putin appeared uncomfortable, staring at the floor and tapping his feet. He responded, "Thank you very much, prime minister. We are moving forward along this path." Russia insists that a war resolution can only be achieved on its own terms, a stance Kyiv has persistently opposed.

Recent days have witnessed intensified attacks on Ukraine, alongside reports of Russia potentially mobilizing hundreds of thousands of fresh troops and escalating ground offensives. In response, Ukraine has ramped up its drone strikes, targeting Russia's energy infrastructure and the warehouses of online retailers Wildberries and Ozon.

Despite Modi's direct appeal to Putin, India remains a critical trading partner for Russia, being one of its largest oil buyers and a recent supplier of gasoline to Moscow due to Ukraine's attacks on its refineries. India's oil purchases with Russia has created tensions with the U.S., leading to the cancellation of a trade deal in 2025.

While the Indian Prime Minister did not suggest that the trade relationship could be leveraged to pressure Russia into ending the war, he reaffirmed that areas of cooperation between Russia and India include energy, innovation, space, fertilizers, and people-to-people linkages. Russian President Putin is slated to attend the BRICS summit in Delhi on September 12 and 13, while Prime Minister Modi is set to meet with EU leaders in December.