Abu Dhabi: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy discussed efforts to end the war in Ukraine as representatives from Ukraine, Russia and the United States began a new round of trilateral negotiations in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday.
The two leaders spoke by telephone on November 9, a day before the scheduled negotiations in the United Arab Emirates. Their conversation focused on the latest developments in the conflict, diplomatic efforts to achieve peace and possible cooperation between India and Ukraine.
Zelenskyy briefed Modi on recent diplomatic developments and Ukraine's preparations for the Abu Dhabi discussions. He stressed that Russia must demonstrate the same willingness to reduce tensions that Ukraine says it has shown during the diplomatic process.
The Ukrainian president also discussed the possibility of India's involvement in facilitating food corridors through the Black Sea. According to the Ukrainian presidential office, Zelenskyy said India was ready to mediate efforts to establish these corridors. He also raised concerns about Russia's blocking of grain exports through the Black Sea and the importance of restoring safe routes for food shipments.
Zelenskyy expressed hope that India could work with other international leaders to support efforts to end the conflict. Both leaders agreed that their teams would remain in contact on the issues discussed.
India's Prime Minister's Office said Modi reiterated New Delhi's position that the conflict should be resolved through dialogue and diplomacy. He also reaffirmed India's willingness to contribute to efforts aimed at achieving a peaceful settlement.
Modi and Zelenskyy also discussed strengthening cooperation between India and Ukraine. However, India did not announce any formal agreement to mediate between Russia and Ukraine or establish new grain export arrangements.
The telephone conversation came as delegations from the three countries began a round of negotiations lasting two days in Abu Dhabi on November 10 and 11. The meeting is part of renewed diplomatic efforts led by the United States to find a way to end the war, which began with Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
Ukraine's delegation is led by Rustem Umerov, while Russia's negotiating team is headed by Vladimir Medinsky. The United States is represented by special envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner.
Before the trilateral discussions, Ukrainian representatives also met US envoys and officials from the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, NATO and the European Commission. The consultations focused on European security and Ukraine's future.
The negotiations are expected to address major disagreements that have prevented progress towards a peace agreement. These include territorial control, security guarantees for Ukraine and the country's future relationship with NATO.
Russia continues to demand that Ukrainian forces withdraw from Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson, four regions Moscow claims to have annexed but does not fully control. Ukraine rejects giving up its territory and has called for security arrangements that would prevent another Russian invasion.
The future security of Ukraine remains one of the most difficult questions in the negotiations. Kyiv wants reliable guarantees from its international partners, while Moscow has opposed arrangements that could strengthen Ukraine's military position or bring it closer to NATO.
Despite the renewed diplomatic activity, fighting between Russian and Ukrainian forces continues. Both sides have continued military operations, including drone and missile attacks. Russian attacks on Ukrainian energy infrastructure have also raised concerns as winter approaches.
The proposed involvement of India in discussions about Black Sea food corridors is significant because of the importance of Ukrainian agricultural exports to international food markets.
Before the war, Ukraine was one of the world's major grain exporters. Its Black Sea ports provided important shipping routes for wheat, corn and other agricultural products.
In July 2022, the United Nations, Türkiye, Russia and Ukraine agreed to establish the Black Sea Grain Initiative through separate agreements signed in Istanbul. The arrangement allowed food exports from three Ukrainian ports, Odesa, Chornomorsk and Pivdennyi, helping restore shipments to international markets.
The initiative facilitated the export of approximately 32.8 million tonnes of grain and food products before Russia withdrew from the agreement in July 2023.
Zelenskyy's discussion with Modi reflects continuing efforts to find international support for restoring safe food export routes. However, no new agreement involving India, Russia and Ukraine has been announced.
India has maintained relations with both Russia and Ukraine throughout the war. New Delhi has repeatedly called for dialogue and diplomacy while maintaining its longstanding relationship with Moscow.
Modi visited Ukraine in August 2024, becoming the first Indian prime minister to visit the country since diplomatic relations were established in 1992. During the visit, he discussed the conflict with Zelenskyy and expressed support for a peaceful resolution.
The latest telephone conversation highlights India's continued engagement with Ukraine as international efforts to end the war enter another important phase.
The Abu Dhabi negotiations are taking place amid deep disagreements over territory, security and the future relationship between Russia and Ukraine. Although the opening of the talks represents a renewed diplomatic effort, no ceasefire or comprehensive peace agreement has been announced.