India’s Modi urges swift resolution of Ukraine conflict in talks with Putin at BRICS Summit

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi called for a swift and peaceful resolution to the Ukraine conflict during his meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin at the BRICS summit.

Modi emphasized the importance of resolving disputes through peaceful means, signaling India‘s ongoing role as a mediator in the crisis.

BRICS Summit highlights Russia’s diplomatic strength

The summit, held in Kazan, Russia, gathered around 20 global leaders, including Chinese President Xi Jinping and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa. Putin’s hosting of the event, despite international sanctions over the Ukraine conflict, underscored Russia’s continued influence on the global stage.

Modi’s comments furthered India’s neutral stance, providing humanitarian aid to Ukraine while maintaining close ties with Moscow.

South Africa, Russia strengthen ties

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa praised Russia as a “valued ally,” referencing Moscow’s support during the anti-apartheid movement. His comments reinforced the deep historical ties between the two nations and added another layer of complexity to the Ukraine crisis, with several BRICS members favoring diplomatic solutions rather than taking sides.

Putin focuses on multipolar world vision

Putin reiterated his vision of a multipolar world during the summit, promoting a BRICS-led payment system to challenge Western dominance in global financial systems. This vision aims to reduce reliance on systems like SWIFT, from which Russian banks were excluded due to sanctions.

The summit also tackled other global concerns, including the ongoing Middle East conflict.

No progress on Ukraine peace talks

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said he hopes for positive signals on Ukraine joining NATO after next month’s U.S. The elections and that the vote could pave the way for peace talks with Russia.

“After the election, we hope for a more positive reaction from the United States. Not because of the change of the president, but simply because the focus, the attention of the United States is now on the elections,” he told journalists in Kyiv on Monday.

“I think they don’t want to take unnecessary risks,” the 46-year-old leader said in comments held under embargo until Tuesday.

“It is a fact that the German side is sceptical about us joining NATO,” Zelenskyy said, adding: “They are afraid of the NATO-Germany issue in terms of the Russian reaction.”

He said he believed France and Britain supported him, and that the response of Germany and other NATO countries like Hungary and Slovakia “depends on the United States.”