Modi tells Putin Ukraine war must end for humanity — SkimNews
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- Modi told Putin on August 31 in Bishkek that "every day that the war continues, humanity is, in effect, set back a step" and pledged India will continue to support all peace efforts to stop the fighting.
- Modi called Putin "my friend" and hailed growing India-Russia economic ties, emphasizing that relations are "guided by the need to put the interests of both nations above all else."
- India is among the biggest buyers of Russian oil alongside China, helping Moscow replenish its budget since the 2022 invasion and the sweeping Western sanctions that followed.
- Putin briefed Modi on the progress of Russia's "special military operation" during the talks, according to the Kremlin via the state TASS news agency.
- The Kremlin insists the war can only end on Russia's own terms—a position Ukraine has dismissed as an unacceptable demand to capitulate, highlighting the gap between Modi's humanitarian framing and Moscow's stance.
Why it matters: India's continued oil purchases have been a critical financial lifeline for Moscow since Western sanctions in 2022, and Modi's face-to-face peace appeal—while preserving that economic relationship—signals New Delhi's growing diplomatic push for a settlement. The contrast between Modi's humanitarian framing and Russia's insistence on its own terms, which Ukraine rejects, illustrates why a negotiated end remains elusive despite India's public pressure.
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