Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed deep concern on Tuesday after reports emerged that Ukraine allegedly targeted the residence of Russian President Vladimir Putin, urging all parties to prioritise dialogue and diplomatic engagement to bring an end to the nearly four-year-long Russia-Ukraine conflict.
In a post on X, PM Modi emphasised the importance of sustained diplomatic efforts, writing that ongoing negotiations “offer the most viable path toward ending hostilities and achieving peace.” He called on all concerned to stay focused on peaceful discussions and to refrain from actions that could derail progress toward a ceasefire.
Since the onset of the war in February 2022, India’s prime minister has consistently advocated for negotiation and diplomacy as the means to resolve the conflict, urging restraint from all sides.
The comments followed statements by Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, who claimed that Ukraine carried out a drone attack on President Putin’s residence in the Novgorod region, between Moscow and Saint Petersburg. Lavrov said that Russian air defences intercepted 91 drones, and insisted that there were no casualties or damage. He added that the incident might lead Russia to revise its negotiating stance in peace talks.
Ukraine’s leadership, however, strongly rejected the Russian account. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky dismissed the claims as “typical Russian lies” aimed at justifying further military action and undermining diplomatic progress. In his own statement on X, Zelensky criticised Moscow for using such narratives to rationalise intensified strikes, including those on Kyiv.
Zelensky underscored that Ukraine does not engage in activities that could jeopardise diplomatic efforts. He stressed the importance of global attention and unity in response to the conflict, asserting that the world must not remain silent in the face of attempts to weaken peace initiatives. He also referenced previous Russian attacks on Kyiv, including on the Cabinet of Ministers building, to highlight Moscow’s ongoing military actions.
As international stakeholders push for renewed negotiations, Modi’s remarks reinforce India’s long-standing call for peaceful resolution, even as conflicting claims over battlefield events continue to complicate diplomatic engagement.
