PM Modi likely to speak to Russian President Putin tonight

Feb. 24: Amid Moscow`s ongoing military operations in Ukraine, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to speak to Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday night. Earlier today, PM Modi met Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and other officials including Home Minster Amit Shah and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh to discuss the economic impact of the Russia-Ukraine crisis and ways to mitigate the impact of rising crude oil prices.

The tensions between the two nations escalated after Putin on Monday recognized Ukraine`s breakaway regions – Donetsk and Luhansk – as independent entities escalating the ongoing tensions between the two countries. Putin on Thursday morning said special military operations are being launched “to protect” the people in the Donbas region.

Earlier today, Ukrainian envoy to India Dr. Igor Polikha urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to activate dialogue with Russia amid the ongoing crisis. Ambassador Igor Polikha asked Indian PM Modi to intervene in the matter. Urging PM Modi to step into the crisis, he said, “We urge PM Narendra Modi to immediately contact Russian President Vladimir Putin and our President Volodymyr Zelensky. Many times in history, India played a peacekeeping role. We’re asking for your strong voice to stop this war.”