Kathrine Frich
Modi urged the Russian president to end the violence quickly.
Global diplomacy often happens behind closed doors, but occasionally leaders choose high-profile international summits to send unmistakable public messages.
When powerful heads of state gather, even brief exchanges can signal shifting tides in world affairs.
Pressure in Bishkek
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi issued a direct appeal to Russian leader Vladimir Putin during a meeting at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit in Bishkek. According to News18, Modi called for an immediate halt to Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Speaking directly to his counterpart, the Indian leader emphasized that every day of conflict pushes humanity backward. He insisted that the global community must transition from prolonged fighting toward lasting peace.
“We must work toward ending military actions. We will continue to support peace negotiations between Ukraine and Russia. We must transition from an endless war to an end to the war. This is India’s message. We need an end to the war, not an endless war,” Modi said according to United24Media.
This was not the first time the Indian prime minister raised the issue with Putin. A year earlier at the summit in Tianjin, Modi urged the Russian president to end the violence quickly. Before that meeting, Modi spoke with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who noted India’s agreement to signal the Kremlin.
Growing regional concern
India is not the only regional partner raising concerns with Moscow. The Moscow Times reported that Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev voiced similar calls during talks with Putin in Omsk.
Tokayev suggested freezing the conflict and resuming negotiations based on earlier framework proposals. He expressed deep regret over the ongoing loss of life across both nations.
“The nature of this conflict is unclear to many, including us. It is a pity that young people are dying; this is the gene pool of brotherly nations, Russia and Ukraine. All of this must be stopped,” Tokayev stated. He added that he shared these views after receiving numerous signals from European and American contacts.
Answers written in fire
Meanwhile, diplomatic efforts from Kyiv have faced stiff resistance. Ukraine previously proposed holding a face-to-face meeting between the two leaders during the G7 summit in the presence of international figures like US President Donald Trump.
Instead of offering a formal diplomatic answer, Russian forces launched heavy shelling attacks across Ukraine shortly after the initiative was transmitted. Ukrainian officials viewed the renewed bombardment as Moscow’s definitive response to the peace offer.
Sources: United24Media, News18, The Moscow Times
