KYIV: President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky has sharply reacted to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Russia and his meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
In a post on X, Zelensky referred to Russia’s Monday attack in which at least 37 people, including three children, were killed after a missile attack on a children’s hospital in Kyiv. The attack also damaged nearly 100 buildings, including schools and hospitals.
The president in his tweet included photographs of the bombed hospital and ambulances. Zelensky post came after Prime Minister Modi met President Putin in Moscow.
He termed that visit as a huge disappointment and a devastating blow to peace efforts to see the Indian leader hug the world’s most bloody criminal in Moscow.
This is Prime Minister Modi’s first visit since he was re-elected to power last month. It was also his first to Russia since the war in Ukraine started two years ago.
Modi, during his meeting with Putin, stressed to end the war with Ukraine and resolve the differences through peaceful means.
Modi on numerous occasions have also spoken to Zelensky, including meeting him in Italy last month on the sidelines of the G7 summit. They have had a face-to-face meeting since the war started in May last year at the G7 summit hosted by Japan.
India, while maintaining historical ties with Russia and benefiting from economic transactions, has faced challenges navigating its relationship amidst Russia’s military actions in Ukraine. The conflict has also impacted India directly, with reports of Indian citizens involved in support roles for Russian military operations in Ukraine.
