'If India changes its stance, Putin will be forced to stop war in Ukraine', says Zelenskyy after meeting PM Modi

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Friday (August 23) said that his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin “will be forced to stop the war” in Ukraine if India changes its stance. His remarks came during a press conference after his meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi who was on a historic visit to Kyiv. "If India and Indians change their stance (towards Russia), the war can be stopped; Putin will be forced to stop the war," President Zelensky said.

His remarks come as PM Modi said in a meeting to him that India is ready to play its part in the peace efforts. "I want to assure you that India is ready to play its active part in the peace efforts. Personally I, if I could contribute, would definitely want to do it as a friend," PM Modi said earlier in the day.

Regarding trade with India, Zelenskyy said, "We are ready for a major deal with India if India is ready. The deal could be in the defence sector or any other sector”.

In strong-worded remarks, the



Ukrainian President said that it is Russian President Putin who does not want peace. He referred to the lethal strike on a children's hospital in the Ukrainian capital Kyiv that killed several children a day ahead of PM Modi's visit to Russia, and claimed that Putin also "does not respect India" or "Indian PM".

"A very good meeting. This is a historic one...I am very thankful to the PM for coming. It's a good beginning with some practical steps...If he (PM Modi) has ideas (on peace) we will happy to speak about it. But we don't change our territories on any propositions...PM Modi wants peace more than Putin...The problem is that Putin doesn't want it. I don't know what did they speak about when they had meeting...If during the official visit of PM, you attack the children in hospital...So, he had to recognise that he (Russian President) doesn't respect India or doesn't control his Army...It means that he doesn't respect Indian PM...So, for me, he is very clear. He is not so smart as his Russian TV shows," Zelenskyy said.