Ukraine Talks Zelenskyy’s Peace Formula Implementation, India Remains Silent

Russia-Ukraine War: India and Ukraine have decided to work together in implementing President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s 10-point peace formula proposed by him during the G7 Summit in October 2022. The objective of this peace formula is to bring lasting peace to Ukraine and put an end to all wars. Both sides have also decided to ramp up cooperation in trade as it existed before the war with Russia began in February 2022.

During his two-day maiden visit to India, Foreign Minister Kuleba met External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and Deputy National Security Adviser Vikram Misri. This was Kuleba’s first visit to India since the war began in February 2022. He was invited by Jaishankar.

“In New Delhi, I had sincere and comprehensive talks with Dr. S. Jaishankar about Ukrainian-Indian bilateral relations, the situation in our regions, and global security. We paid specific attention to the Peace Formula and next steps on the path of its implementation. We also co-chaired the Ukrainian-Indian intergovernmental commission review meeting and agreed to restore the level of cooperation between our countries that existed prior to the full-scale war launched by Russia, as well as identify new promising projects to take our relations to the next level,” said Kuleba after his meeting with Jaishankar Friday.

In August 2023, Saudi Arabia hosted a summit on the peace plan where around 40 countries participated discussing their contribution in achieving the goals set in it. In May 2023, 46 member states of the Council of Europe expressed their support for the plan during the summit. In June, it was also supported by the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, according to Kyiv.

Kyiv now seeks India’s support for the plan even as a summit on this will once again be organised later this year and this time the host will be Switzerland. The summit ‘Global Peace Summit’ was announced by Swiss President Viola Amherd. The dates for the summit are yet to be finalised.

“An open and wide-ranging conversation with Ukraine FM Dmytro Kuleba this afternoon. Our discussions focused on the ongoing conflict and its wider ramifications. Exchanged views on various initiatives in that context. Spoke as well on global and regional issues of interest to both of us. Reiterated our commitment to strengthen the overall relationship, including bilateral cooperation,” said Jaishankar.

He also said, “Pleased to co-chair the review meeting of our Inter-Governmental Commission with FM Dmytro Kuleba of Ukraine. Noted the importance of further strengthening cooperation in all domains. Our immediate goal is to get trade back to earlier levels. Perspectives on trade, health, S&T and agriculture cooperation shared today were useful. We agreed to prepare for the 7th IGC meeting later this year.”

While this is Kuleba’s first visit to India since becoming the Foreign Minister of Ukraine in 2020, he had met Jaishankar in November 2022.

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No Mention of Peace Plan Or Russia In Indian Statements

Incidentally, there was no official confirmation given out by the Indian side even as New Delhi remained silent on whether or not it will be a part of it and how it will contribute to the plan. The mention of the peace plan or Russia was also absent from the official statements or readouts issued by the Indian government.

A statement issued by the Ministry of External Affairs said a “comprehensive discussion” was held on the “ongoing conflict and efforts to achieve a peaceful settlement.”

“Regular interactions at various levels and meetings of bilateral mechanisms have contributed to the strong and multifaceted partnership that exists between India and Ukraine,” said the MEA.

During the initial months when the war began, Kyiv was upset with New Delhi for not taking a stand against Russia even as its trade with Moscow increased manifold. Ukraine was also irked with India for not following the economic sanctions being imposed on Russia.

However, the talks between India and Ukraine gained momentum during the visit of former Secretary (West) Sanjay Verma to Kyiv in July 2023. Following that in February this year, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Iryna Borovets visited India.

Both sides agreed to work towards holding the 7th Inter-Governmental Commission (IGC) meeting later this year.