ZELENSKYY CALLS MODI, SEEKS PM’S HELP FOR PEACE

In a phone call to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Monday sought India’s help in the implementation of a peace formula with Russia. 

“I had a phone call with PM Modi & wished him 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,” tweeted the Ukrainian President. PM Modi, in turn, strongly reiterated his call for an immediate cessation of hostilities, saying that both sides should revert to dialogue and diplomacy to find a lasting solution to their differences, read Prime Minister’s Office press release. He also conveyed India’s support for any peace efforts and assured India’s commitment to continue providing humanitarian assistance for the affected civilian population, added the release. Zelenskyy had earlier spoken about a 10-point peace plan that was aimed at ending the “aggressive Russian war…justly and on the basis of the UN Charter and international law”. 

The 10 points included nuclear safety, food security, energy security, release of all prisoners and deportees, restoration of Ukraine’s territorial integrity, withdrawal of Russian troops and cessation of hostilities, prevention of escalation and confirmation of the end of the war. During their last phone conversation on 4 October, the Prime Minister had emphasised the importance India attaches to the safety and security of nuclear installations, including in Ukraine. 

He had said that endangering nuclear facilities could have “far-reaching and catastrophic consequences”. He had also said that “there can be no military solution to the conflict”. Meanwhile, the President of Ukraine conveyed his best wishes for India’s Presidency of the G20. PM 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, added the release. 

The two leaders discussed opportunities for strengthening bilateral cooperation. PM Modi requested the Ukraine authorities to facilitate arrangements for the continued education of Indian students, who had to return from Ukraine earlier this year. Ealier on Monday, Ukraine called for Russia to be removed from the United Nations, where Moscow can veto any resolution as a permanent member of the Security Council. 

“Ukraine calls on the member states of the UN… to deprive the Russian Federation of its status as a permanent member of the UN Security Council and to exclude it from the UN as a whole,” the foreign ministry said in a statement. The statement said Russia “illegally occupies the seat of the USSR in the UN Security Council”, since the break-up of the Soviet Union in 1991.