Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky met in Hiroshima on Saturday for the first time since the start of Russia’s repeated invasion of Ukraine with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who has avoided criticizing Moscow.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky met in Hiroshima on Saturday for the first time since the start of Russia’s repeated invasion of Ukraine with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who has avoided criticizing Moscow.
The leaders of the two countries met in Japan, where the summit of the leaders of the G7 countries is taking place. Initially, Zelenskiy was scheduled to have a video address, however, the President of Ukraine has come to Japan in person to meet with the leaders of several countries in bilateral talks as well.
On Saturday, the official Twitter account of Modi’s office published photos in which the Indian Prime Minister can be seen shaking hands with Zelensky, as well as the talks between the delegations of the two countries.
PM @narendramodi held talks with the President @ZelenskyyUa during the G-7 Summit in Hiroshima. pic.twitter.com/tEk3hWku7a
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) May 20, 2023
“I understand your pain and also the pain of the citizens of Ukraine,” Modi said, assuring that “India and I personally will do everything we can to resolve this.”
In turn, Zelenskiy informed on social networks after the meeting that he thanked India for “supporting the territorial indivisibility of our country, especially in international organizations”, as well as for the humanitarian aid provided by India.
Zelensky has also invited India to join the implementation of the “peace formula” offered by Ukraine.
Prior to that, the Ukrainian leader had talks with Italian Prime Minister George Meloni and British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, whom Zelenskiy already met this month when he visited several European countries.
Zelensky tweeted on Saturday that important meetings with Ukrainian partners and friends await him in Japan. “Security and increased cooperation for our victory. Let’s move closer to peace today,” he said.
A bilateral meeting between Zelensky and US President Joe Biden is also scheduled for Hiroshima.
On the first day of the G7 summit on Friday, Biden assured the leaders of other countries that the United States is ready to train Ukrainian pilots to work with F-16 fighter jets and support the supply of modern fighter jets to Ukraine.
Before leaving for Japan, Saudi Arabia’s King Salman had invited Zelenskiy as a guest of honor to the annual Arab League summit.
The meeting with the leaders of the Arab countries and the Prime Minister of India confirms Ukraine’s determination to get support also from countries that have so far been reticent in condemning Russia.
