Putin thanks world leaders including Modi, Trump for efforts to address Ukraine conflict

Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed his gratitude to world leaders, including US President Donald Trump, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, for their efforts in mediating the ceasefire for the Ukraine-Russia war while making his first public remarks on Kyiv's ceasefire proposal.

Speaking at a joint press conference with Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko on March 13, Vladimir Putin said Russia agrees with the proposals to cease hostilities but “proceeds from the assumption that this cessation should lead to long-term peace and eliminate the root causes of the crisis”.

"As for Ukraine's readiness for a ceasefire, I will tell you how I view it, of course. But I would like to start by thanking the President of the United States, Mr Trump, for paying so much attention to the Ukraine settlement. We all have enough of our own domestic affairs to attend to. But many leaders of states, among them the President of the People's Republic of China, the Prime Minister of India, the Presidents of Brazil and the Republic of South Africa are addressing this issue and giving it a lot of their time. We are grateful to all of them for that because this activity is aimed at achieving a noble mission - the mission of ending hostilities and loss of life,” Putin said while responding to a question.

He further said, “We agree with the proposals to cease hostilities but proceed from the assumption that this cessation should lead to long-term peace and eliminate the root causes of this crisis.”

Commenting on Ukraine’s readiness for a ceasefire, he referred to the recent US-Ukraine discussions in Saudi Arabia and suggested that it might have been likely influenced by American pressure.

"Now, on Ukraine's readiness to cease the hostilities. You know, on the face of it, the US-Ukraine meeting in Saudi Arabia may look like the Ukrainian side made this decision under pressure from the United States. In fact, I am absolutely convinced that the Ukrainian side should have asked the Americans for this decision most emphatically, in view of the situation evolving on the ground, as has just been mentioned here," Putin said.

On March 11, Ukraine accepted the US proposal to impose an "immediate, interim 30-day ceasefire," which is subject to Russia’s acceptance and can be extended upon mutual agreement of the parties.

Earlier, US President Donald Trump had warned Russia of consequences if it did not accept the truce deal.

However, he welcomed Ukraine's agreement to the ceasefire after the peace talks in Jeddah on March 11 expressing hope that Russia would also agree to it.

Stating that soldiers of both Russia and Ukraine are being killed in this "horrible war", Trump said reaching a ceasefire is "very important".

Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed Donald Trump's efforts Donald Trump's efforts to resolve the Russia-Ukraine conflict earlier in February.

He reiterated India’s stance, saying it is not neutral and is on the side of peace.

"I have always been in close contact with Russia and Ukraine. I have met the leaders of both countries. Many people are in a misconception that India is neutral, but I want to reiterate that India is not neutral; we are on a side, and that is peace," Modi said in a joint statement at the White House during his US visit.

PM Modi also travelled to Russia last July to participate in the 22nd India-Russia Bilateral Summit. He also travelled to Ukraine in August last year.

During the bilateral meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Modi emphasized India's position of peaceful resolution of the conflict through dialogue and diplomacy.