Vladivostok, Sep 06 (V7N) – Russian President Vladimir Putin has named India as one of the three countries in regular contact with Russia during the ongoing Ukraine conflict. During his speech at the Eastern Economic Forum (EEF) in Vladivostok on Thursday, Putin acknowledged the sincere mediation efforts of India, alongside China and Brazil, in working towards a peaceful resolution to the crisis.

Putin’s remarks come amid growing diplomatic efforts to end the two-and-a-half-year war. He expressed Russia's willingness to negotiate with Ukraine, stating, "If Ukraine wants to continue talks, I can facilitate it." The Russian President highlighted that peace talks have never been rejected by Russia, reiterating his country's readiness to negotiate on the basis of prior agreements, particularly those reached in Istanbul.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently made a historic visit to Ukraine, meeting with President Volodymyr Zelensky in an effort to encourage dialogue. Modi’s role is seen as pivotal given his strong ties with both Putin and Zelensky, as well as his ability to maintain open channels of communication with the United States. 

"We respect our friends and partners who are truly working to resolve this dispute, especially China, Brazil, and India," Putin said, praising the consistent efforts of these nations in maintaining dialogue and promoting peace.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov also acknowledged India's potential to play a constructive role in mediating the conflict. "India can facilitate dialogue in Ukraine due to Modi's close relationships with all parties involved," Peskov said. He further added that Modi's ongoing communication with Putin, Zelensky, and U.S. officials positions him well to encourage peace talks.

However, despite the optimism surrounding India's diplomatic involvement, Peskov admitted that an immediate resolution remains unlikely. He pointed to a lack of negotiable conditions at present but emphasized that Modi’s influence could help bridge the gap between the warring sides.

During his visit to Ukraine in August, Modi urged Zelensky to engage in direct talks with Russia, calling for an end to the war and affirming India's commitment to peace efforts. Modi's trip to Ukraine marked a historic moment, as he became the first Indian Prime Minister to visit the country since its independence in 1991.

Although there are no immediate plans for formal mediation, Putin’s comments suggest that India could play an increasingly significant role in fostering dialogue and potentially helping to bring an end to the conflict.