New Delhi: The situation between Russia and Ukraine remains far from normal, with frequent reports of intense conflict. While some nations have attempted to mediate and de-escalate tensions, these efforts have yielded no tangible results. There appear to be no immediate prospects for peace between the two sides. Amidst the ongoing tensions, India’s External Affairs Minister S.
Jaishankar met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv on Thursday. Discussions covered a range of issues, including ways to end the Russia-Ukraine war. Jaishankar acknowledged Ukraine’s concerns regarding India’s purchase of oil from Russia while emphasising India’s own energy requirements.
What was said in the joint statement?
In a joint statement issued following talks between S. Jaishankar and Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, Jaishankar addressed the issue, stating, “I understand the reason for the question. However, it is crucial to appreciate the challenges involved in securing energy supplies for a population of 1.4 billion people.”
He added that this is particularly challenging given the current difficult global energy landscape. The External Affairs Minister stated that India respects Ukraine’s position and hopes that its own perspective will also be respected.
Jaishankar on oil purchases from Russia
External Affairs Minister Jaishankar also spoke significantly about India’s oil imports from Russia. Regarding the Russia-Ukraine conflict, he remarked, “I would simply say that this conflict, now in its fifth year,r will not be resolved merely based on whether or not someone is purchasing oil, minerals, metals, or fertilisers.”
He further noted that the war continues despite various peace efforts and has now entered its fifth year. He emphasised that resolving such deep-seated tensions will ultimately require dialogue, diplomacy, and compromise.
Hostilities must end soon.
The Indian External Affairs Minister reiterated India’s consistent stance that this is not an era for war. A solution cannot be found on the battlefield. He also referred to the remarks made by PM Narendra Modi two days earlier during his meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Bishkek. At that time, the Prime Minister had stated that efforts should now be directed towards ending hostilities rather than prolonging the war.
Meanwhile, India has faced criticism from European nations for purchasing crude oil from Moscow following the outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine war in 2022. New Delhi has repeatedly maintained that ensuring affordable and reliable energy supplies for its citizens is a key responsibility.
It is worth noting that during his visit to Ukraine, Jaishankar met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha. The discussions primarily focused on ending the war and strengthening bilateral relations.
