India's Modi Arrives In War-torn Ukraine For Historic Visit

KYIV, Aug 23 (Bernama-dpa) -- Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Kiev on Friday for a historic meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

It is the first visit by an Indian prime minister to Ukraine since the country became independent from the Soviet Union in 1991, reported German news agency (dpa).

The meeting is being closely watched after Zelensky harshly criticised Modi for his high-profile trip to Moscow six weeks ago in which he held talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Video of Modi and Putin embracing raised eyebrows in Europe and Washington, especially as it came shortly after a deadly Russian strike on a paediatric hospital in Kyiv. 

Zelensky blasted Modi for his visit to Russia, writing on social media: "It is a great disappointment and a low blow to peace efforts to see the leader of the world's largest democracy hugging the world's bloodiest criminal on such a day in Moscow."

India engages diplomatically with both Ukraine and Russia. But Modi's government is opposed to Western sanctions on Moscow and is a major buyer of Russian oil. India is also heavily dependent on Russia for military equipment.

The Indian leader has been keen to be seen as a peacemaker between the warring sides, saying often that the conflict that erupted after Russia's all-out invasion of Ukraine cannot be won on the battlefield. But he has yet to offer any concrete proposals beyond stressing the need for dialogue.

Modi arrived in Kyiv on Friday morning by train from Poland, where he had met with Prime Minister Donald Tusk on Thursday. Poland is one of Ukraine's staunchest allies.

-- BERNAMA-dpa