Russian Deputy FM Briefs Indian Envoy On Moscow’s ‘Principled Position’ In Ukraine Conflict

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin met with Indian Ambassador to Russia, Vinay Kumar, on Monday to discuss Moscow’s “principled position” regarding the ongoing Ukraine conflict. The two sides aligned their approaches on various international and bilateral issues, with the conversation occurring in a “trusting and constructive atmosphere,” according to a statement from the Russian Embassy in India.

“On August 26, Mr Mikhail Galuzin, Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, met with Mr. Vinay Kumar, Ambassador of the Republic of India to the Russian Federation. The sides reconciled approaches to certain international and bilateral issues. Russia’s principled position on the conflict in Ukraine was again explained to the head of the Indian diplomatic mission. The conversation took place in a trusting and constructive atmosphere,” the statement read.

This follows Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent visit to Ukraine on August 23, marking the first visit by an Indian prime minister to the war-torn European nation since the establishment of diplomatic ties in 1992.

In his bilateral meeting with Ukrainian President Zelenskyy, PM Modi underscored India’s stance on resolving the conflict peacefully through dialogue and diplomacy.

“India was never neutral, we have always been on the side of peace,” PM Modi told Zelenskyy.

He stated that India is prepared to take an active role in promoting peace and progress. The conflict between Russia and Ukraine has been ongoing since 2022, and India has consistently supported “peace and diplomacy” as the means to resolve it.

Earlier, Prime Minister Modi visited Russia in August and met with Russian President Vladimir Putin. During this meeting, he emphasised that the resolution of the conflict cannot be achieved on the battlefield and can only be resolved through dialogue and diplomacy.