Ukraine, India discuss Black Sea, food security on FM's 'historic' Kyiv visit / Photo: Genya SAVILOV - AFP
Ukraine, India discuss Black Sea, food security on FM's 'historic' Kyiv visit
Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar arrived in Kyiv on Thursday to discuss shipping in the Black Sea and food security, Ukraine's authorities said.
Kyiv hailed the visit, Jaishankar's first standalone trip to Ukraine, as "historic" and called for a peaceful resolution to the war in Ukraine.
It follows a meeting earlier this week between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin earlier this week.
Russia's invasion of Ukraine has killed thousands of civilians and turned into Europe's deadliest conflict since World War II.
Moscow has also hampered exports of Ukrainian food products through a campaign of port and ship strikes on the Black Sea.
"We are grateful to India for its commitment to ending this unjust war," Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on social media after meeting Jaishankar.
"We discussed the situation in the Black Sea, including the existing threats to civilian shipping," Zelensky said.
"It is absolutely unacceptable to block food supplies to regions where this is a highly sensitive issue and where people depend on these maritime routes," he added.
Jaishankar told reporters in Kyiv: "Every passing day of conflict only means more deaths and more destruction."
"Understandably, it is for the parties involved to find a way. But if India can be of any help in any manner, we are ready. And this was the core of my discussion today so far," he added.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiga called Jaishankar's visit a "historic moment".
He said Kyiv was "constantly under attack", adding: "I appreciate my colleague's brave visit."
"While the minister was here with us in Kyiv, Russia once again launched jet-powered 'shaheds', which were developed not without Iran's help," Zelensky said.
He added the the Indian delegation "was safe because it is Ukrainian fighter jets that shoot down most of these drones".
Since last week, jet-powered drones have been attacking Kyiv and surrounding areas, triggering multiple air raid alerts per day, causing damage to residential buildings and wounding civilians.
H.Harris--PI
