Modi, Zelensky hold talks over UNSC stance

Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky said he spoke to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday, reports Hindustan Times.

Zelensky's tweet in this regard came hours after Russia praised India's decision to abstain from voting at the United Nations Security Council meeting. The Kremlin has continued its offensive on the neighbouring country for the third day, now reaching for the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv.

Calling for stopping “the aggressor together” Zelensky sought from Modi India’s political support at the UNSC.

"Spoke with Indian Prime Minister @narendramodi. Informed of the course of Ukraine repulsing Russia aggression. More than 100,000 invaders are on our land. They insidiously fire on residential buildings. Urged India to give us political support in UN Security Council. Stop the aggressor together," Zelensky tweeted on Saturday.

The PM's Office (PMO) also released a statement regarding the interaction between the two leaders. During the call, Modi expressed his deep anguish about the loss of lives and properties due to the ongoing conflict and reiterated his call for an “immediate cessation of violence and a return to dialogue”, the PMO statement said. He also expressed India’s willingness to contribute in any way towards peace efforts.

Further, the PM conveyed India’s deep concerns for the safety and security of Indian citizens, including students, in Ukraine. He sought the facilitation by Ukrainian authorities to expedite the safe evacuation of Indian citizens.

On Friday, India abstained from voting on a UN Security Council resolution moved by the United States that "deplores in the strongest terms" Russia's "aggression" against Ukraine, while calling for the immediate cessation of violence and hostilities, asserting that dialogue is the "only answer" to settling disputes.