Ukraine President Zelensky Seeks India's Participation In Implementation Of 'Peace Formula' With Russia

Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky on Monday (26 December) spoke to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to wish a successful G20 Presidency.

He also thanked India for humanitarian aid and support in the United Nations.

The Ukrainian President also sought India's participation in implementation of the 'peace formula' with Russia that he had announced earlier on the G20 platform in Bali, Indonesia last month.

"I had a phone call with @PMOIndia Narendra Modi and wished a successful G20 presidency. It was on this platform that I announced the peace formula and now I count on India's participation in its implementation. I also thanked for humanitarian aid and support in the UN," Zelensky tweeted.

India had formally assumed the G20 Presidency from Indonesia on 1 December.

The G20 or Group of 20 is an intergovernmental forum of the world’s major developed and developing economies and comprises Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, South Korea, Turkey, the UK, the US and the European Union (EU). 

In November, while addressing the G20 Summit leaders in Bali, Zelensky had outlined a 10-point ‘formula for peace’ at the Bali G20 summit.

"Ukraine should not be offered to conclude compromises with its conscience, sovereignty, territory and independence. We respect the rules and we are people of our word.” he had said. 

Zelensky's 10-point peace formula covered the areas of Radiation and nuclear safety, food security, energy security, release of all prisoners and deportees from Russia, implementation of the UN Charter and restoration of Ukraine’s territorial integrity and the world order, withdrawal of Russian troops and end of hostilities, justice, immediate protection of the environment from attack on Ukraine’s ecology, prevention of escalation, and confirmation of the end of the war. 

Meanwhile, a release by India's Prime Minister Office said that PM Narendra Modi explained the main priorities of India's G20 Presidency, including giving a voice to the concerns of developing nations on issues like food and energy security.

The two leaders discussed opportunities for strengthening bilateral cooperation, the PMO release said.

PM Modi also requested Ukraine authorities to facilitate arrangements for the continued education of Indian students who had to return from Ukraine earlier this year, it added.

On the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict, PM Modi strongly reiterated his call for an immediate cessation of hostilities, and said that both sides should revert to dialogue and diplomacy to find a lasting solution to their differences, according to the release.

He also conveyed India's support for any peace efforts, and assured New Delhi's commitment to continue providing humanitarian assistance for affected civilian population.