Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has criticized India for its ongoing oil purchases from Russia, which he argues supports Russia’s “war economy.” Zelenskyy expressed disappointment with India’s role in the conflict and suggested that India’s significant oil imports are contributing to Russia’s ability to finance its military operations.
Zelenskyy also took issue with the timing of a Russian missile strike on Ukraine’s largest children’s hospital, which coincided with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Moscow in early July. He questioned the respect Putin has for Modi, citing the attack as evidence of Putin’s disregard for India’s diplomatic efforts.
During his media briefing, Zelenskyy emphasized the importance of India’s support in Ukraine’s peace efforts and reiterated his stance that Ukraine will not compromise on its principles or territorial integrity. He suggested that India could play a crucial role in future peace summits but noted that it would be problematic for a country that has not endorsed previous peace efforts to host such summits.
Zelenskyy expressed a desire to visit India to further discuss these issues and strengthen bilateral relations, highlighting the importance of India’s alignment with Ukraine’s peace efforts and its role on the global stage.