▲ Volodymir Zelensky (right) with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Mariinsky Palace in kyiv.Photo of the Ukrainian presidency via AFP

AFP, Reuters, AP and Sputnik

The newspaper La Jornada
Saturday, August 24, 2024, p. 24

kyiv. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi reiterated his call for a peaceful solution to the conflict between Ukraine and Russia during his visit to kyiv, the first by an Indian head of government to Ukraine, described as a very symbolic and historical by his host, President Volodymir Zelensky. The path to a solution can only be found through dialogue and diplomacy.Modi said.

I want to assure you that India is ready to play an active role in any effort to achieve peace. If I can play any role in this personally, I will do so, I assure you as a friend.he added.

The White House said Modi’s visit to Ukraine could prove helpful, after criticizing him for hugging Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow. If the Indian PM’s trip can help to end the conflict, according to (Volodymir) Zelensky’s vision of a just peace, we think it could be usefulsaid US Security Council spokesman John Kirby.

Meanwhile, at least eight civilians were killed by Russian airstrikes in four regions in eastern and southern Ukraine; kyiv announced the creation of a buffer zone in the border province of Sumy to counter the attacks. Ukrainian forces announced they used high-precision glide bombs provided by the United States to carry out attacks in Russia’s Kursk region.

Meanwhile, the European Union (EU) Chancellor, Josep Borrell, acknowledged for the first time that the community he represents is part of the conflict in Ukraine: What will happen to Ukraine will also determine our geopolitical future.” Borrel described worrying Berlin’s decision to halve its military aid to kyiv for next year.