“Huge dissapointment”: Zelenskyy Responds to PM Modi’s Meeting with Putin

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has expressed deep disappointment over Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Russia, calling it a “huge disappointment and a devastating blow to peace efforts.” Zelensky’s remarks coincided with a tragic day in Kyiv, where a Russian missile struck a children’s hospital, killing 29 people.

Prime Minister Modi met informally with Russian President Vladimir Putin at Putin’s official residence in Novo-Ogaryovo, near Moscow, on Monday. This marked Modi’s first visit to Russia since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine began in February 2022.

The meeting was marked by warm gestures, with PM Modi embracing Putin in a big hug upon arrival. The leaders displayed a strong rapport, chatting over tea, exchanging compliments, and touring the estate grounds with Putin driving Modi around in a golf cart.

Vladimir Zelenskyy, who met PM Modi during G7 summit last month, said in a post on X, “It is a huge disappointment and a devastating blow to peace efforts to see the leader of the world’s largest democracy hug the world’s most bloody criminal in Moscow on such a day.”

Zelensky’s criticism came as news of the missile strike in Kyiv spread, highlighting the ongoing violence and its impact on civilians.

Despite the friendly interactions, sources indicate that PM Modi emphasized to Putin that dialogue and diplomacy are essential to resolving the Ukraine conflict, as a military solution is not feasible.

In the lead-up to the bilateral talks between PM Modi and Putin, the United States urged India to impress upon Russia that any resolution of the Ukraine conflict must uphold the United Nations charter and respect Ukraine’s territorial integrity and sovereignty.