Zelenskiy calls Indian, Saudi leaders ahead of Trump-Putin talks
FILE PHOTO: Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy speaks to Ukrainian Muslim service members before sharing an iftar with them, a meal to break their fast at sunset, during the holy month of Ramadan, in a mosque in Kyiv, Ukraine March 13, 2025. REUTERS/Alina Smutko/File Photo
KYIV - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy spoke to the leaders of India and Saudi Arabia on Monday, in an effort to mobilise support for Kyiv beyond Europe ahead of a planned meeting this week between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin.
Zelenskiy won diplomatic backing from Europe and the NATO alliance on Sunday, amid fears that the U.S. and Russian leaders may try to dictate terms for ending the 3-1/2-year war.
In separate statements on Monday, Zelenskiy said he had spoken to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, both of whom have taken cautious diplomatic positions on Russia's invasion of its neighbour.
India is a major buyer of Russian oil and Saudi Arabia has pitched itself as a mediator in the conflict. Zelenskiy said he spoke to both leaders about strengthening Ukraine's position in any peace process.
"Communication with leaders is ongoing practically around the clock – we are in constant touch," he wrote on X. "Now is the moment when there is a real chance to achieve peace."
In his "long conversation" with Modi, Zelenskiy added that he had also discussed sanctions on Russian oil. Trump last week slapped an additional 25% tariff on Indian goods, citing New Delhi's continued imports of the product.
"I noted that it is necessary to limit the export of Russian energy, particularly oil, to reduce its potential and ability to finance the continuation of this war," he said, adding that leaders with "tangible leverage over Russia" should act.
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Putin has also made a flurry of calls in recent days, speaking to the leaders of China, India, Brazil and three ex-Soviet states to brief them on his contacts with the United States about the war in Ukraine.
On Wednesday, Germany will convene a virtual meeting of European leaders to discuss how to pressure Russia to end the war in Ukraine ahead of a European call with Trump. Zelenskiy and EU and NATO officials were expected to join the meeting.
Earlier on Monday, Zelenskiy warned that any concessions to Russia would not persuade it to stop fighting in Ukraine and that there was need to ramp up pressure on the Kremlin.
"Russia refuses to stop the killings, and therefore must not receive any rewards or benefits," he wrote on X.
"Concessions do not persuade a killer." REUTERS
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