External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv on Thursday to discuss strengthening bilateral ties and ways to end the Russia-Ukraine war.
Speaking during his visit to the Ukrainian capital, Jaishankar acknowledged Kyiv’s concerns over India’s oil purchases but reiterated that New Delhi has legitimate energy requirements. He also acknowledged the challenges of meeting the energy needs of 1.4 billion people.
“The challenges are in providing energy for 1.4 billion people at a time when world energy situation is very very difficult. Ukraine side has its perspective and we respect it….This conflict, which is today in its fifth year, will not be solved because somebody is buying or not buying oil or alumina
or minerals or metals or fertiliser. This conflict will be solved by dialogue, diplomacy, and negotiation. That is why, it is something we would encourage”, he said.
While India has faced pressure from the United States and European Nations to stop purchasing Russian oil, New Delhi has consistently maintained that any decision on the country’s energy requirements will solely be based on its national interests.
‘Not An Era Of War’
Echoing India’s long-standing stance of dialogue and diplomacy, Jaishankar said: “This conflict will be solved by dialogue, by diplomacy, by negotiation, and that is why it is something we would encourage.”
“India has consistently maintained that this is not an era of war, and that solutions will not emerge from the battlefield”, he added.
Zelenskyy Thanks India For Support
In a post on X, Ukrainian President Zelenskyy thanked India for extending commitment to ending the war.
“Held a meeting with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of India, Subrahmanyam Jaishankar. We discussed important issues. We are grateful to India for its desire to end this unjust war—the war of Russia against Ukraine. This time must certainly not be a time of war. Peace is needed. This is India’s clear position”, he wrote.
Провів зустріч із міністром закордонних справ Індії Субраманьямом Джайшанкаром. Важливі питання обговорили. Ми вдячні Індії за бажання закінчити цю несправедливу війну – війну Росії проти України. Цей час точно не має бути часом війни. Потрібен мир. Це чітка позиція Індії.… pic.twitter.com/HLW3jxugcF
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) September 3, 2026
Zelenskyy said he discussed the situation in the Black Sea with Jaishankar, including the recent attack on Indian seafarers.
Several Indian seafarers were killed, while many others were injured in the latest escalations between Russia and Ukraine in the Black Sea.
“Of course, we discussed the situation in the Black Sea, including the existing threats to civilian shipping. We agree that it is absolutely unacceptable to block the supply of food to those regions where it is highly sensitive and people depend on the relevant sea routes. Russian actions aimed at blocking our ports, our grain corridor, and our supplies are indeed injecting major disruption into global relations. We need to work together to ensure security. Thank you!” he said.
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