MOSCOW — Russian President Vladimir Putin has publicly commended Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his active engagement in seeking a peaceful solution to the Russia-Ukraine conflict, noting that the Indian Prime Minister brings “very good ideas” to the table.
Addressing international experts at the Valdai Discussion Club in Moscow on Thursday, President Putin highlighted that PM Modi continues to advocate for peace while maintaining a constructive and balanced foreign policy.
Core Takeaways & Statements
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Principled Neutrality: President Putin stressed that despite close personal and diplomatic ties between Moscow and New Delhi, PM Modi consistently brings up the urgency of ending the conflict, now entering its fifth year.
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Recognition of Indian Input: Expressing appreciation for India’s peaceful interventions, Putin stated: “He [PM Modi] has an avid interest and very good ideas aimed at finding mutually acceptable solutions. Naturally, the Prime Minister takes a neutral position but with an interest in the end of the conflict.”
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Diplomatic Foundation: India’s mediation efforts continue to build on PM Modi’s core stance—”this is not an era of war”—emphasizing continuous dialogue over military escalation.
Diplomatic Track Record
The Russian President’s remarks align with recent high-level talks between India and Russia:
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BRICS Summit (September 2026): Hosting President Putin in India for the BRICS summit, PM Modi reiterated India’s readiness to assist in all peace efforts, stating that a swift end to the conflict is essential for global stability.
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Bishkek SCO Summit: On the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in Kyrgyzstan, PM Modi called on both sides to move from an “endless war” to an “end of war.”
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Balanced Outreach: PM Modi maintains open dialogue with both Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, positioning India as a key advocate for peace through diplomatic negotiation.
