MOSCOW, Oct 7: Russia has welcomed India’s willingness to play a constructive role in efforts to resolve the Ukraine conflict, with the Kremlin expressing gratitude to New Delhi for the ideas it has put forward.
Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov made the remarks on Wednesday while responding to reports that India had submitted a three part proposal aimed at advancing peace efforts between Russia and Ukraine.
“India is declaring readiness to make a feasible contribution to resolving the situation surrounding Ukraine,” Peskov said, according to the state-run TASS news agency.
“We are grateful to our Indian friends for such readiness and the ideas that are being offered,” he added.
Peskov’s comments came shortly after Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said India’s proposal was the broadest among four peace initiatives received by Kyiv. The other proposals were submitted by Turkiye, Egypt and the United States.
Sybiha said Ukraine was prepared to consider a ceasefire covering energy facilities and the Black Sea, provided both elements were addressed together.
Russia’s appreciation of India’s efforts also follows recent remarks by President Vladimir Putin, who said Prime Minister Narendra Modi had “very good ideas” for finding a mutually acceptable settlement to the conflict.
Speaking at the annual meeting of the Valdai International Discussion Club last week, Putin said Modi regularly raises the issue of ending the war during their meetings and takes a close interest in peace efforts.
Putin also said the Indian Prime Minister had offered ideas aimed at finding solutions acceptable to both sides.
The two leaders discussed the Ukraine conflict and ongoing diplomatic initiatives during their meeting ahead of the BRICS summit in New Delhi last month. Putin briefed Modi on Moscow’s assessment of the situation and the peace process.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said on Sunday that India had expanded its role in recent months by engaging with both Moscow and Kyiv on ways to help end the conflict.
He said New Delhi was also working on issues related to the safety of commercial shipping in the Black Sea, grain exports and uninterrupted energy supplies.
India has consistently maintained that the conflict should be resolved through dialogue and diplomacy and has encouraged both sides to pursue a peaceful settlement.
The latest diplomatic efforts come as fighting continues, with Russian and Ukrainian forces carrying out attacks on infrastructure and other targets.
Sybiha said Kyiv wanted any ceasefire arrangement to include a halt to attacks on energy and port infrastructure, along with measures concerning the Black Sea. Ukraine has also repeatedly called for an unconditional ceasefire along the frontline.
Moscow, however, has rejected the proposal for an immediate unconditional truce and has maintained that a comprehensive peace settlement should be pursued.
The prolonged conflict has caused large scale civilian casualties and forced millions of people from their homes since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.