Says Delhi can influence Moscow as crude oil fueling Russia’s war economy

tribune News Service

New Delhi, August 24

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has asked New Delhi to be literally seen on their side rather than merely “balancing” ties between Kyiv and Moscow.

Speaking to the media hours after meeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the Ukraine capital last evening, Zelenskyy said, “We need your country on our side and it should not just be balancing between us and Russia. It’s not about the ‘historical choice’ you should make.” The details of the media interaction have been put out by news agencies.

In Kyiv, PM Modi had yesterday said India was not a “neutral or indifferent” bystander in the Ukraine-Russia conflict, but was always on the side of peace.

Zelenskyy referred to Moscow’s strike on a children’s hospital that coincided with Prime Minister Modi’s visit to Russia last month to claim that President Vladimir Putin “did not respect India or its leader”. “If you attack children in a hospital during the official visit of the PM… it means he doesn’t respect the Indian PM,” he said.

The Ukrainian leader suggested that Indian crude oil purchases were running Moscow’s economy. Asked if India could use its influence on Russia to stop the conflict, Zelenskyy said he had suggested PM Modi that India had a “global influence and a very big influence on the Russian economy”.

“A lot of export possibilities for Russia closed (after the war started), but India is open (to business). This is generating billions of dollars that help fund Russia’s military… officially, it’s war economy. Putin has nothing to sell, but oil,” he said.

Zelenskyy said he had discussed Ukraine’s ongoing peace summit mechanism with Modi and made it clear that his nation would not make compromises like losing one-third of its territory.

Asked if military equipment was discussed with Modi and what his country’s stance was, Zelenskyy said, “We are ready to co-produce for both markets. Of course, after the war, it can be 10 times more. We want to come to India. We are open to a big deal, if India is ready.” The Ukrainian President said he was unhappy on “not getting India’s support” on the UN resolution condemning Russia. “But we hope we will have stronger relations with New Delhi,” he said.

Meanwhile, EAM S Jaishankar on Saturday congratulated Ukraine on its Independence Day.