Kyiv: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed gratitude to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday for his warm greetings on Ukraine’s Independence Day. In a social media post, Zelenskyy highlighted India’s commitment to peace and dialogue and stated that Kyiv is counting on India’s contribution to ending the war with Russia.

Zelenskyy emphasised that every decision strengthening diplomacy enhances security not only in Europe but also in the Indo-Pacific region and beyond. His comments come amid ongoing conflict and global efforts to find a peaceful resolution.

Prime Minister Modi had earlier wished the people of Ukraine a future marked by peace and progress while welcoming Zelenskyy’s Independence Day greetings to India. Modi recalled his visit to Kyiv in August 2024 and reaffirmed his commitment to deepening mutually beneficial cooperation between the two countries.

In a letter to Zelenskyy dated August 24, Modi expressed India’s longstanding commitment to peace and assured support for sincere efforts towards a peaceful resolution of the conflict through dialogue and diplomacy.

The exchanges occur as the world watches closely the geopolitical complexities of the Russia-Ukraine war, including implications for energy trade and global diplomacy. Notably, the dialogue between India and Ukraine gains added significance with the looming August 27 deadline for the 50 per cent punitive tariffs imposed by former U.S. President Donald Trump on India for its purchase of Russian crude oil.

With inputs from PTI