External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Thursday, 3 September declared in Kyiv that India is prepared to assist in any capacity to bring the Russia-Ukraine conflict to an end, invoking Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent call that 'endless war must now give way to the end of war.' The statement came during Jaishankar's meeting with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, marking a significant diplomatic signal as the war enters its fifth year.

What Jaishankar Said in Kyiv

'Just two days ago in Bishkek, Prime Minister Modi declared that endless war must now give way to the end of war. Every passing day of conflict only means more deaths and more destruction. Understandably, it is for the parties involved to find a way. But if India can be of any help, in any manner, we are ready,' Jaishankar stated, describing this as the 'core' of his discussion with Minister Sybiha.

Jaishankar acknowledged that his Kyiv visit carries a bilateral purpose but is framed against the broader backdrop of a war that has been ongoing since 2022. He also confirmed plans to meet President Volodymyr Zelensky later the same day to convey Prime Minister Modi's personal greetings.

Indian National Killed in Kyiv Attack

Jaishankar drew attention to a deeply personal dimension of the conflict for India: 'Only two days ago, an Indian national was also killed in an attack in Kyiv. We join in mourning every life lost and convey our deepest sympathy to every affected family.' The death underscores the direct human cost the war is exacting on Indian nationals present in Ukraine, including a significant number of students.

Jaishankar thanked Ukrainian authorities for the care extended to Indian students currently studying in Ukraine and noted that academic and scientific institution linkages between the two countries also featured in the discussions.

Shipping, Food, and Global South Concerns

The EAM raised the impact of the conflict on commercial shipping, noting that Indian seafarers serving on vessels of multiple flags have been among the casualties. He stressed that disruptions to maritime trade are generating cascading fuel, fertiliser, and food shortages across nations of the Global South — a concern India has consistently highlighted in multilateral forums.

'The impact on shipping is also significantly affecting many nations of the Global South in a variety of ways, leading to fuel, fertiliser, and food shortages,' he said.

India's Humanitarian Assistance to Ukraine

India has so far delivered 19 consignments of humanitarian aid to Ukraine, totalling 160 tonnes of assistance comprising generator sets, medicines, and medical equipment, Jaishankar noted. This sustained humanitarian engagement has run alongside India's diplomatic posture of urging dialogue over battlefield resolution.

He also noted that India is developing rapidly in areas such as digital capabilities, innovation, and startups, and flagged these as potential areas for deeper bilateral cooperation with Ukraine going forward.

Diplomatic Timeline and What Comes Next

Jaishankar and Sybiha have maintained regular contact well before this visit, having met in Cyprus (May), France (March), Munich (February), and in Canada and New Delhi in 2025. At the leadership level, Modi and Zelensky last met on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in Evian, France, in June this year.

Jaishankar extended a formal invitation to Minister Sybiha to visit India for the next session of the Intergovernmental Commission, signalling that bilateral engagement is set to deepen regardless of how the conflict evolves. India's position — that this is not an era of war and that solutions will not emerge from the battlefield — remains unchanged, even as New Delhi carefully avoids assigning blame to either side.