New Delhi: India and Russia are preparing for a visit by President Vladimir Putin, though the exact dates have yet to be finalized, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov confirmed on Tuesday.
As Kyiv marked 1,000 days since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Peskov acknowledged India’s efforts to help resolve the ongoing crisis, highlighting India’s role as a “great friend” to Moscow. “I hope soon we’ll work out the precise dates for President Putin’s visit,” Peskov said during a virtual media briefing organized by Sputnik News Agency.
He added, “After two visits by Prime Minister Modi to Russia, now we look forward to President Putin’s visit to India. We are preparing for it with great anticipation.” Despite Peskov’s optimism, Russian officials familiar with the matter suggested the visit is expected to take place in 2025. Putin last visited India in December 2021 for an annual summit, making this potential visit the first since the onset of the Ukraine conflict in 2022.
Regarding Indian mediation in the Russia-Ukraine war, Peskov emphasized that there are no concrete plans for such mediation from Russia’s side. “We know that Prime Minister Modi maintains a pragmatic relationship with President Putin and continues to engage with Ukraine,” he noted, adding that Modi’s ability to receive first-hand information from both sides was crucial for an objective understanding of the situation.
Peskov expressed gratitude for India’s efforts to address the crisis, saying, “Russia appreciates every country’s efforts to assist in resolving the Ukraine crisis, particularly when it comes from great friends like India.” He added that Putin values Modi’s involvement in global efforts to mediate peace and emphasized Russia’s openness to any initiative aimed at settling the conflict.
Amid global efforts to end the war, Modi has engaged both Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, urging dialogue and emphasizing that peace cannot be achieved through force. Modi has also made it clear that both sides must engage for a sustainable solution.
On the issue of peace talks, Peskov pointed out that Ukrainian President Zelensky’s recent decree banning negotiations with Russia made any immediate peace talks unlikely. “The war will end once we achieve our goals,” Peskov stated.
The Kremlin also addressed speculation regarding the incoming US administration under Donald Trump. Peskov suggested that Trump’s approach to the war remained uncertain but noted that Trump had previously expressed support for peace during his campaign, even if resolving the conflict wouldn’t happen overnight.
In terms of India’s membership in both the Quad and BRICS, Peskov acknowledged India’s sovereignty and its pursuit of diverse partnerships. He remarked, “India is facing unprecedented pressure from the US over its relationship with Russia, but we have no doubt that together we will overcome this pressure.”
Peskov also commented on India-China relations, noting Russia’s readiness to assist in normalizing ties between the two countries. While Russia did not facilitate the recent meeting between Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping at the BRICS summit, Peskov expressed Moscow’s willingness to support the normalization process between the two nations.
Russia’s role in international diplomacy remains fluid, as it continues to navigate complex relationships amid the ongoing war in Ukraine.
