Vladimir Putin praises Narendra Modi for 'good ideas' to end Ukraine war

Russian President Vladimir Putin has praised Narendra Modi's "good ideas" for resolving the war in Ukraine, thanking the Indian Prime Minister for his persistent efforts to find a peaceful end to the conflict.

Speaking at the Valdai Club forum, Putin said Modi is one of the few world leaders who constantly raises the question of how to stop the fighting, even during their private conversations.

"Prime Minister Narendra Modi is one of those world leaders who, despite our very good and even friendly relations, personal good relations, constantly raises the question and asks the question about putting an end to the conflict in Ukraine," Putin told the audience.

A neutral but active partner

India has maintained a delicate diplomatic balance since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. While New Delhi has avoided directly condemning Moscow at the United Nations, it has repeatedly called for an immediate cessation of hostilities and a return to diplomacy.

Putin acknowledged this positioning directly, describing India's approach as both neutral and constructive.

"He has an avid interest and very good ideas aimed at finding mutually acceptable solutions," Putin said. "In that sense, naturally, the Prime Minister takes a neutral position but with an interest in the end of the conflict. I think it's my duty to say that directly. And we are thankful to the Prime Minister for his ideas."

The Russian leader expressed gratitude for Modi's desire to secure peace "as soon as possible" through diplomatic channels.

India's peace push

Modi has previously defended India's stance, arguing that its position is not one of indifference but of active engagement for peace. In an interview with the Japanese newspaper The Yomiuri Shimbun, Modi said both Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy appreciate India’s "principled and humanitarian approach."

"I have already indicated India's willingness to support meaningful efforts aimed at achieving a peaceful resolution of the conflict," Modi said in that interview, adding that India’s strong relations with both sides could help restore a lasting peace.

The two leaders last met on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit, where they discussed expanding trade under their bilateral economic cooperation programme for 2030, alongside joint projects in infrastructure, energy, technology, and defence.

During the same forum on Thursday, Putin also sought to ease wider European anxieties, reiterating that Moscow has no intention of attacking any European countries. However, he warned that Russia would defend itself with "all weapons" at its disposal if provoked, accusing Western nations of escalating tensions through military exercises in the Baltic Sea and by seizing Russian vessels.