Russia welcomes India's peace proposal on Ukraine ceasefire

Russia has said it is grateful to India for expressing readiness to make a practical contribution to efforts to resolve the Ukraine conflict, after reports that New Delhi has sent a new three-part proposal for a peaceful settlement.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov made the remarks on Wednesday in response to a question on the media reports. His comments came days after Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said India's proposal for a possible ceasefire with Russia was the "broadest" among four offers received by Kyiv.

"Indeed, India is declaring readiness to make a feasible contribution to resolving the situation surrounding Ukraine, and we are grateful to our Indian friends for such readiness and the ideas that are being offered," Peskov was quoted as saying by the state-run TASS news agency.

Sybiha had told reporters in Kyiv on Friday that Ukraine had received four proposals, from India, Turkiye, Egypt and the US. "We have four proposals. The broadest one is India's proposal. We are ready for an energy and Black Sea ceasefire, but only in this combination," he was quoted as saying by the European Pravda newspaper.

Ukraine's latest position has come amid intensified Russian attacks on the country. Sybiha said Ukraine agreed to a ceasefire only if it covered not just combat operations, but also attacks on energy and port infrastructure, along with the situation in the Black Sea.

The Black Sea remains one of the world's most dangerous commercial shipping zones, with missile and drone strikes by both Russia and Ukraine targeting ports, infrastructure and merchant vessels. Sybiha has also repeated Ukraine's call for an unconditional ceasefire along the front line, while Moscow has rejected such a move and said a comprehensive peace agreement should be reached instead.

Last week, Russian President Vladimir Putin said Prime Minister Narendra Modi had "very good ideas" on a mutual settlement of the conflict. Speaking at the annual meeting of the Valdai Discussion Club on Thursday, Putin said, "As for Prime Minister Modi's position on ending wars, I can say that he is one of those world leaders who, despite our very good, even friendly relations, including at the personal level, constantly raises the issue and asks questions about ending the conflict in Ukraine."

Putin added that Modi "brings up these matters at every meeting we have and takes a keen interest in them". "He has very good ideas aimed at finding mutually acceptable solutions," Putin said, according to TASS.

Ahead of the BRICS summit in New Delhi last month, Putin and Modi held talks during which the Russian leader briefed the Prime Minister on the Ukraine conflict and ongoing peace initiatives. Last month, Peskov had also said Russia would welcome peace efforts by India and that Moscow's position was aligned with New Delhi's emphasis on dialogue and diplomacy.

The Russia-Ukraine war is now in its fifth year, with thousands of civilians killed and millions displaced, even as both Moscow and Kyiv continue to discuss possible terms for a ceasefire and a broader peace settlement.

With PTI Inputs

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