Russia-Ukraine Conflict: PM Narendra Modi speaks to Russian President Vladimir Putin; urges for direct talks with Ukrainian Prez Volodymyr Zelenskyy

Prime Minister Narendra Modi today spoke to Russian President Vladimir Putin, PTI reported citing government sources. The PM and Russian President Putin discussed evolving situation in Ukraine over the phone, this reprt said, citing government sources.

President Putin briefed PM Modi on status of negotiations between Ukrainian and Russian teams, the report further said. 

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PM Modi urged Putin to hold direct talks with Ukrainian Prez Volodymyr Zelenskyy in addition to ongoing negotiations between their teams, the report said.

On Monday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to the Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The Russia-Ukraine conflict entered its 12th day today, March 7, 2022.

During their conversation earlier today, President Zelenskyy briefed the Prime Minister in detail about the conflict situation and the ongoing negotiations between Ukraine and Russia, as per the release from the Prime Minister's Office (PMO). Also, a call is scheduled between PM Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin later in the day. 

PM Modi also urged an end to violence in Ukraine during a call with Russian President Vladimir Putin on February 24, 2022. "(The) Prime Minister appealed for an immediate cessation of violence, and called for concerted efforts from all sides to return to the path of diplomatic negotiations and dialogue," the government said, as per a Reuters report.

PM Narendra Modi expressed deep concern about the ongoing conflict and resultant humanitarian crisis in his conversation with the President of Ukraine. The Prime Minister reiterated his call for immediate cessation of violence and noted that India has always stood for peaceful resolution of issues and direct dialogue between the two parties.

In a major development, the Russian Defence Ministry said that Russia's military will hold fire and open humanitarian corridors in several Ukranian cities on Monday after fighting halted weekend evacuation efforts and civilian casualties from Russia's invasion mounted, as per a Reuters report.

The Reuters report further stated that the corridors would be opened from the capital Kyiv, also the cities of Kharkiv, Mariupol and Sumy are being set up at the personal request of French President Emmanuel Macron.

Those who want to leave Kyiv will also be able to airlifted to Russia, the ministry said.

In his conversation with the Ukranian President, PM Narendra Modi thanked the Ukrainian authorities for their facilitation in evacuating more than 20000 Indian citizens from Ukraine.