'Enough of our own domestic affairs, but ...': Putin thanks PM Modi, Trump for efforts to stop Russia-Ukraine war

NEW DELHI: Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi, US President Donald Trump and Brazil President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva for their efforts to end the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict

In his first public reaction on Ukraine's willingness to negotiate a ceasefire, Putin said that he agrees with the proposal of ceasefire but "proceeds from the assumption that this cessation should lead to long-term peace and eliminate the root causes of the crisis."

"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 give it a lot of their time," Putin said during a joint press conference with Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko.

"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," he added.

Putin said that Russia agrees to the ceasefire proposal by the United States but argued that some issues still need to be addressed.

"We agree with the proposal for a ceasefire (with Ukraine) to cease hostilities, but we proceed from the fact that this ceasefire should lead to an enduring peace, and should remove the root causes of this crisis," Putin said during a news conference with Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko.

This came a day after Trump said that "it’s up to Russia now" as his administration presses Moscow to agree to the ceasefire, following peace talks between US and Ukrainian officials that resulted in Kyiv agreeing to a 30-day US-backed ceasefire covering the entire frontline.

Putin questioned what a ceasefire would mean in light of the recent Ukrainian "incursion" in Kursk. "Would that mean that everybody there would leave? Should we release them after they have committed numerous crimes against civilians there, or will the Ukrainian leadership command them to surrender? What will happen? That’s not clear," he said.

Earlier, Putin had named India among the three countries he is constantly in touch over the Ukraine conflict and said they are sincerely making efforts to resolve it.

In July last year, PM Modi travelled to Russia 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, PM Modi emphasised India's position of peaceful resolution of the conflict through dialogue and diplomacy.

PM Modi also welcomed Trump's efforts to resolve the Russia-Ukraine conflict and reiterated India's position that the conflict should be resolved on the negotiating table.

"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," PM Modi said in a joint presser at the White House.

He further reiterated India's position that a solution to the conflict can't be found on the battlefield and appreciated President Donald Trump's efforts in this direction.

"I have said that 'this is not a time of war' in front of the media when President Putin was with me. Even today, my conviction is that the solutions to war cannot be found on the battlefield, and ultimately, we have to be at the table," PM Modi said.

He added, "India believes that the solution to the war can be found only when the issue is discussed in a forum where both countries (Russia and Ukraine) will be present. The efforts made by President Trump - I support, and welcome it. I hope he succeeds as soon as possible."