Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky spoke with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday, 9 November, discussing diplomatic steps that could bring the Russia-Ukraine war closer to resolution, according to a statement issued by the Ukrainian President's office. India has signalled its readiness to mediate in establishing food corridors amid an ongoing blockage of grain exports in the Black Sea.

What Was Discussed

Zelensky's office stated that the Ukrainian president briefed Modi on the current state of diplomacy, including preparations for an upcoming meeting in Abu Dhabi. The statement noted that Ukraine has consistently maintained a 'constructive approach' and called for a matching willingness from Russia to de-escalate.

'The Prime Minister has repeatedly said, including to the Russian leader, that now is the time to end the war, not continue it. It is important that India finds what steps it can take and dialogue with other leaders to help bring the end of the war closer,' Zelensky was quoted as saying in the statement.

India's Position on Food Security

India, according to the Ukrainian statement, is ready to mediate in establishing food corridors to address the disruption of grain exports through the Black Sea. Zelensky underscored the broader humanitarian dimension: 'Russia must understand that its economy and hundreds of millions of people in different countries suffer from blocked sea routes.'

Both leaders agreed that their respective teams would remain in contact on these and other bilateral issues. The Prime Minister's Office (PMO) confirmed that Modi reaffirmed India's 'human-centric approach' and reiterated that the conflict must be resolved through 'dialogue and diplomacy.'

India's Three-Track Diplomatic Effort

The call reflects a broader Indian diplomatic engagement. External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar, speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the G20 Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Atlanta earlier this month, outlined that India is in active discussions with Russia, Ukraine, and Europe on three dimensions: protecting civilian shipping and seafarers; restoring grain exports from the Black Sea; and preventing attacks on energy infrastructure.

'Non-attack on energy is probably the most complicated piece because it means different things to the different players,' Jaishankar said. He noted that the grain issue was 'a big concern for the global south because much of the purchasers of that grain are basically global south countries.'

Jaishankar also confirmed that India has been coordinating its mediation efforts with Washington. 'We have also been coordinating this with the Americans, because they have their own peace mediation initiative. So Secretary Rubio knows roughly what is going on here,' he said. India's contacts span the highest levels — Modi met Russian President Vladimir Putin in Delhi and previously in Bishkek, while Jaishankar visited both Moscow and Kyiv.

Bilateral Cooperation

Beyond the conflict, the two leaders also discussed measures to strengthen India-Ukraine bilateral cooperation across various sectors, the PMO statement noted. The conversation reinforces India's positioning as an active, non-aligned interlocutor in one of the most consequential geopolitical conflicts of the decade.

What Comes Next

With the Abu Dhabi meeting in preparation and diplomatic channels open to both Moscow and Kyiv, India's next concrete step will be closely watched — particularly whether the proposed food corridor mediation translates into a formal initiative. The outcome of ongoing contacts between the two leaders' teams is expected to shape the contours of India's role in any eventual peace framework.