PM Modi can persuade Putin to finish hostilities in Ukraine, says White House

The US would welcome any effort that might result in an finish of hostilities in Ukraine, White House spokesperson John Kirby mentioned in reply to a query on PM Modi’s position in stopping the Russia-Ukraine warfare.

New Delhi,UPDATED: Feb 11, 2023 09:42 IST

File picture of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin

By India Today Web Desk: The US would welcome any effort that might result in an finish of hostilities in Ukraine, White House spokesperson John Kirby mentioned when requested if it was too late for Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to cease the warfare between Ukraine and Russia.

“I’ll let the PM (Prime Minister Narendra Modi) speak to whatever efforts he’s willing to undertake. The United States would welcome any effort that could lead to an end of hostilities in Ukraine, “White House National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby mentioned on Friday. He was responding to a query whether it is too late for PM Modi to cease the warfare between Ukraine and Russia or persuade President Vladimir Putin.

“I think there’s still time for Putin to stop the war. I think there’s still time for it. PM Modi can convince; I will let PM Modi speak to whatever efforts he’s willing to undertake. The US would welcome any effort that could lead to an end of hostilities in Ukraine,” John Kirby mentioned.

#WATCH | I’ll let the PM communicate to no matter efforts he is prepared to undertake. US would welcome any effort that might result in an finish of hostilities in Ukraine: John Kirby on being requested if there’s nonetheless time for PM Modi to cease the warfare or persuade President Putin

(Source: WH) pic.twitter.com/6BOiR3VKea
— ANI (@ANI) February 10, 2023

“We think the war could end today…should end today,” the White House spokesperson mentioned. The assertion assumes significance because it comes a day after National Security Advisor Ajit Doval met Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow.

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“The single person responsible for what the Ukrainian people are going through is Vladimir Putin and he could stop it right now. Instead, he’s firing cruise missiles into energy and power infrastructure and trying to knock out the lights and knock out the heat so the Ukrainian people suffer even more than they already have,” Kirby mentioned.

“So that when President Zelensky determines it’s time to negotiate and he’s the only one that can make that determination, he can do it with the strongest hand possible,” he added.

PM Modi had spoken to Russian President Putin and Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky a number of occasions for the reason that Russia-Ukraine warfare started. On the sidelines of Shanghai Cooperation Organization’s summit in Uzbekistan’s Samarkand, PM Modi had instructed Putin, “I do know at present’s period is just not [an era] of warfare. We mentioned this challenge with you on telephone a number of occasions, that democracy, diplomacy and dialogue contact the whole world.” (sic)

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PM Modi’s call for an immediate cessation of violence between Russia and Ukraine was welcomed by the US and resonated widely in Europe in a very positive way.

In December last year, Zelenskyy dialled PM Modi and sought India’s support on the 10-point “peace formula”. “The leaders exchanged views about the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Prime Minister Modi strongly reiterated his call for an immediate cessation of hostilities, and said that both sides should revert to dialogue and diplomacy to find a lasting solution to their differences,” an official assertion from PMO mentioned.

(With company inputs)

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Published On:

Feb 11, 2023