Russian President Vladimir Putin has assured Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi that he is aware of New Delhi's concerns over the conflict in Ukraine and wants to end the conflict "as soon as possible". Al Jazeera reported this information about the summary of a Putin-Modi meeting given by the Kremlin.
On the sidelines of a regional security bloc summit in Uzbekistan on Friday (September 16), the Indian Prime Minister told Putin, "I know that the present age is not an age of war and I have spoken to you on the phone about this." Democracy, diplomacy and dialogue have brought the world together.'
But Putin said, "Kyiv rejects negotiations and wants to achieve its own goals on the battlefield."
On the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, Putin told Modi, "I know your position, your concern about the conflict in Ukraine." We will do everything to close it as soon as possible. But unfortunately, the opposition side i.e. Ukraine's leadership rejected the negotiation process. They want to achieve their goals through military means.
New Delhi and Moscow have ties dating back to the Cold War, and Russia is by far India's largest arms supplier.
Earlier on Thursday (September 15), Putin made similar comments in a meeting with Chinese leader Xi Jinping. He said he understood Beijing's concerns about the Ukraine conflict.
Russia has been trying to build closer ties with both China and India in the face of tough Western sanctions over its invasion of Ukraine.
Russia currently controls about one-fifth of Ukraine after sending its armed forces into the neighboring country in various directions on February 24.
Moscow says the "special military operation" was necessary to prevent Ukraine from being used as a "platform" for Western aggression and to protect Russian speakers.
