Ukraine calls India’s ceasefire proposal the most comprehensive of four plans

Ukraine has received four distinct ceasefire proposals to help curb its war with Russia, with Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha describing the offer from India as the "most comprehensive" of them all.

Speaking to reporters in Kyiv, Sybiha revealed that New Delhi has, for the first time, signalled its active willingness to help broker a deal. The other proposals have come from the United States, Turkey, and Egypt.

While Ukraine is open to different formats, Sybiha made it clear that Kyiv will only accept a limited truce if it addresses both energy security and Black Sea shipping as an interconnected package.

"We have four proposals. The most comprehensive is India's proposal," Sybiha said. "We are ready for an energy and Black Sea truce, but only in this combination."

For Ukraine, a valid energy truce would require a complete halt to Russian attacks on all energy facilities, including critical port infrastructure.

The four competing proposals

The international push to halt the fighting has produced several competing diplomatic tracks:

• India: A comprehensive plan linking energy infrastructure protection with maritime security in the Black Sea.
• The United States: An energy-focused truce, which Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy recently discussed during a meeting with US President Donald Trump.
• Turkey and Egypt: Separate proposals for a maritime and agricultural truce in the Black Sea to restore safe passage for grain exports.

The shipping route is particularly vital for Egypt, which relies on Ukraine for roughly a third of its grain supply.

Zelenskyy previously confirmed that Egypt, India, and Turkey had put forward safe-shipping options during the UN General Assembly in New York, stating that Ukraine was ready to ensure food security if Russia agreed to de-escalate.

India’s growing role as a mediator

The disclosure of the Indian proposal marks a significant shift in New Delhi’s diplomatic involvement. India has maintained a neutral stance throughout the conflict, refusing to join Western sanctions while keeping up its trade and diplomatic ties with Moscow.

However, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has stepped up his engagement with both sides. Modi met Zelenskyy in France in June, and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar travelled to Kyiv in September to meet Sybiha and Zelenskyy. Jaishankar reiterated that the war cannot be resolved on the battlefield and that India stood ready to assist in any peace efforts.

Modi has also pressed the issue with Russian President Vladimir Putin, most recently ahead of the Brics summit in New Delhi. Speaking at the Valdai Discussion Club in Moscow, Putin praised the Indian leader's efforts.

"He takes a keen interest in the matter and has excellent ideas aimed at finding mutually acceptable solutions," Putin said, adding that Modi "certainly maintains a neutral position while remaining committed to seeing the conflict end."

What happens next

While Ukraine is holding out for a combined energy and shipping truce, Sybiha did not rule out a broader agreement. He said Kyiv is open to an "unconditional" ceasefire along the line of contact, suggesting this could be a key outcome of a potential direct meeting between Zelenskyy and Putin.

However, any immediate progress depends on Moscow. Although Putin expressed gratitude for Modi's peace efforts, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov recently cautioned that there are still "no prerequisites for moving on to a peaceful negotiating track", even though Russia remains open to talks.