'The end of this war must begin with an unconditional ceasefire, with necessary silence,' Zelenskyy tells Modi, in message to Putin

ANKARA 

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday discussed with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy ways to resolve his country's ongoing conflict.

The talks over the phone took place ahead of Modi's meeting with Putin, according to the Indian leader's press service statement, and Zelenskyy shared "his perspective on recent developments related to Ukraine."

Modi, who arrived in China on Saturday -- his first time in seven years -- to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit, is expected to meet Putin on Monday.

“Prime Minister thanked President Zelenskyy and reaffirmed India’s steadfast and consistent position for the peaceful settlement of the conflict and support for efforts aimed at the earliest restoration of peace. PM reiterated India’s commitment to extend all possible support in this regard,” said the Indian statement.

In a phone call earlier this month, Putin and Modi discussed the outcome of Putin's Alaska summit with US President Donald Trump, as well as paths to a lasting solution to the Ukraine conflict.

In a separate statement, Zelenskyy said he confirmed his willingness to meet with the Russian president during a phone call with Modi and asked him to convey this message to Putin.

"We have coordinated our positions before the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Summit. The end of this war must begin with an unconditional ceasefire, with necessary silence," Zelenskyy said on Telegram.

He said the Indian-Ukrainian bilateral relations were another topic of the phone talk; the two nations are preparing an exchange of visits and holding a session of the Joint Intergovernmental Commission.

"There is potential that we can realize. I look forward to meeting with the prime minister soon," Zelensky said.