Kremlin backs India’s Ukraine peace push, thanks New Delhi for readiness to broker solutions

Russia has welcomed India’s readiness to make a “feasible contribution” towards resolving the Ukraine conflict. On Wednesday, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said Moscow was grateful to New Delhi for its willingness to help and the ideas it has proposed.“Indeed, India is declaring readiness to make a feasible contribution to resolving the situation surrounding Ukraine,” Peskov said, according to state-run TASS, while responding to reports that India had sent a new three-part proposal for a peaceful resolution.“We are grateful to our Indian friends for such readiness and the ideas that are being offered,” he added.Peskov’s remarks come days after Ukrainian foreign minister Andrii Sybiha said India’s proposal for a possible ceasefire was the “broadest” among four offers received by Kyiv. The other proposals were from Turkiye, Egypt and the US.“We have four proposals. The broadest one is India’s proposal. We are ready for an energy and Black Sea ceasefire, but only in this combination,” Sybiha told reporters in Kyiv on Friday, according to European Pravda.India’s efforts have also received praise from Russian president Vladimir Putin.Ahead of the BRICS summit in New Delhi last month, Putin and Modi held talks during which the Russian leader briefed the Prime Minister on the Ukraine conflict and ongoing peace initiatives.On Friday, Putin said Prime Minister Narendra Modi had “good ideas” aimed at finding mutually acceptable solutions to the conflict.“Prime Minister Narendra Modi is one of those world leaders who, despite our very good and even friendly relations, personal good relations, constantly raises the question and asks the question about putting an end to the conflict in Ukraine,” Putin said.“He has an avid interest and very good ideas aimed at finding mutually acceptable solutions. In that sense, naturally, the Prime Minister takes a neutral position but with an interest in the end of the conflict,” he added.Putin also said, “I think it’s my duty to say that directly. And we are thankful to the Prime Minister for his ideas.”Modi has repeatedly maintained that India is willing to support meaningful efforts towards peace. Responding to a question on India’s role, he said, “I have already indicated India’s willingness to support meaningful efforts aimed at achieving a peaceful resolution of the conflict.”External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said on Sunday that India had moved beyond advocacy and intensified engagement with both Kyiv and Moscow. He said New Delhi was focusing on issues including the safety of shipping in the Black Sea, grain exports and energy supplies.India has consistently advocated dialogue and diplomacy to resolve the conflict, now in its fifth year. Ukraine, meanwhile, has called for an unconditional ceasefire, including an end to attacks on energy and port infrastructure and a halt to hostilities in the Black Sea.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.