Jaishankar Meets Ukraine FM, Says India Ready to Help Bring War to an End

India is ready to provide “any help in any manner” to support efforts to end the Russia-Ukraine war, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said on Thursday during talks with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha in Kyiv.

Jaishankar reiterated India’s position that the conflict cannot be resolved on the battlefield and called for dialogue and diplomacy to bring the war to an end. He referred to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent call for “an end to the war” during his meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in Bishkek.

“Every passing day of conflict only means more deaths and more destruction,” Jaishankar said, adding that while the parties involved must find a way forward, India was prepared to assist if its support could contribute to peace.

Sybiha welcomed Modi’s message, saying Ukraine “stands ready for diplomacy” and appreciates India’s call to move from an endless war towards an end to the conflict.

Jaishankar said his visit to Kyiv had both bilateral and broader objectives, coming amid intensified hostilities. He also expressed condolences over the death of an Indian national in a recent attack in Kyiv.

The ministers discussed the security of commercial shipping in the Black Sea, with Jaishankar noting that Indian seafarers working on ships of different flags have been among those affected. Disruptions to maritime trade have also created concerns over fuel, fertiliser and food supplies across parts of the Global South.

India has provided Ukraine with 19 consignments of humanitarian assistance since the conflict began.

On bilateral ties, Jaishankar said trade spans pharmaceuticals, agriculture, fertilisers, machinery, chemicals and consumer goods, despite disruptions caused by the war and logistical challenges. He also highlighted potential cooperation in digital technology, startups, innovation and artificial intelligence.

Jaishankar invited Sybiha to visit India for the next meeting of the Intergovernmental Commission.