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The conversation came hours after PM Modi spoke with Zelenskyy and reiterated India’s readiness to contribute to efforts aimed at achieving a peaceful resolution to the conflict.
Jaishankar had also met Lavrov in Atlanta on the sidelines of a G20-related event, where the two discussed the Ukraine conflict. (File Photo: X/DrSJaishankar)
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Monday held a telephonic conversation with his Russian counterpart, Sergey Lavrov, during which the two leaders discussed the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict.
The conversation came hours after Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and reiterated India’s readiness to contribute to efforts aimed at achieving a peaceful resolution to the conflict.
Spoke this evening with Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov of Russia. Our conversation focused on the Ukraine conflict and ongoing diplomatic initiatives.— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) November 9, 2026
The diplomatic outreach comes ahead of a fresh round of negotiations involving Russian, Ukrainian and US officials in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, scheduled to begin on Tuesday. The two-day meeting is aimed at finding a way to end the war, which is approaching the five-year mark.
The upcoming talks follow earlier rounds of negotiations this year that failed to yield any visible progress towards ending Europe’s deadliest conflict since World War II.
The negotiations also come after a localised truce was reached last month around the Russian-occupied city of Oleshky in southern Ukraine. The ceasefire, brokered with the assistance of US First Lady Melania Trump, reportedly facilitated the evacuation of some residents and the delivery of much-needed humanitarian supplies.
Jaishankar had also met Lavrov in Atlanta on the sidelines of a G20-related event, where the two discussed the Ukraine conflict.
What Did PM Modi Tell Zelenskyy?
During his telephone conversation with Zelenskyy, PM Modi conveyed India’s readiness to contribute to all efforts aimed at achieving a peaceful resolution to the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
Following the conversation, Zelenskyy said it was important for India to identify the steps it could take and the diplomatic engagement it could pursue with other world leaders to help bring the war to an end.
“India is ready to mediate in establishing food corridors, and we are counting on these efforts to continue,” the Ukrainian president said in a post on X.
According to a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), Modi reaffirmed India’s human-centric approach to the conflict and reiterated New Delhi’s consistent position that the crisis must be resolved through dialogue and diplomacy.
The Prime Minister also conveyed India’s readiness to contribute to all efforts aimed at a peaceful resolution, the PMO said.
During the conversation, Zelenskyy shared his perspective on recent developments surrounding the ongoing conflict. The two leaders also discussed measures to strengthen India-Ukraine bilateral cooperation across various sectors for the mutual benefit of their people.
In a post on X, Modi described the conversation as productive and said the two leaders had reviewed their wide-ranging bilateral cooperation and agreed to further strengthen India-Ukraine ties.
“I thanked President Zelenskyy for sharing his perspectives on the ongoing conflict, its humanitarian aspects and various efforts to restore peace. Reiterated India’s firm commitment to contributing in every possible way towards a peaceful resolution,” Modi said.
Zelenskyy, meanwhile, said he had briefed the Indian Prime Minister on the latest diplomatic developments and Ukraine’s preparations for the upcoming negotiations in Abu Dhabi.
“We are actively preparing on every item on the agenda for the meeting in Abu Dhabi,” he said.
The Ukrainian president said Kyiv had consistently adopted a constructive approach towards ending the conflict and called on Moscow to demonstrate a similar willingness to de-escalate tensions.
Referring to Modi’s earlier conversations with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Zelenskyy said the Indian Prime Minister had repeatedly conveyed that the time had come to end the war rather than prolong it.
“The prime minister (Modi) has said more than once, including directly to the Russian leader, that now is the time to end the war, not to continue it. It is important that India identify what steps it can take and what dialogue it can pursue with other leaders to help bring the war to an end,” Zelenskyy said.
Quick Answers
Ask News18PM Modi reaffirmed India’s human-centric approach, emphasizing that the crisis must be resolved through dialogue and diplomacy while expressing India’s readiness to contribute to all peaceful resolution efforts.
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Saurabh Verma is a Deputy News Editor at News18.com, specialising in Indian politics and breaking global news. With years of experience tracking election strategies, he decodes domestic issues for mil…Read More
November 09, 2026, 9:30 PM IST
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