'Noble mission': Putin thanks PM Modi, Trump for efforts to resolve Russia-Ukraine conflict

PM Modi with Russian President Vladimir Putin (Courtesy: Reuters file photo)

Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed gratitude towards several world leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, for paying attention to the Ukraine conflict. Putin admitted that their efforts are meant for a noble mission as he his first public remarks on Ukraine's willingness to a 30-day ceasefire.

"First of all, I would like to start with words of gratitude to the president of the United States, Mr Trump, for paying so much attention to the Ukraine settlement. All of us have lots on our plates, but many state leaders, the Chairman of the People's Republic of China, the Prime Minister of India, president of Brazil and South African Republic," the Russian President said.

Putin appreciated the time devoted by the leaders to the Russia-Ukraine issue despite the fact that they already have a lot of their plates. "They devote a lot of time to this issue, and we are thankful to them because it's all for the noble cause of stopping hostilities and preventing human casualties," he added.

On Ukraine's willingness to negotiate a ceasefire, the Russian President said that he agrees with the proposal but "proceeds from the assumption that this cessation should lead to long-term peace and eliminate the root causes of the crisis."

"The idea itself is correct, and we certainly support it," Putin told a news conference in Moscow. "But there are issues that we need to discuss, and I think that we need to talk about it with our American colleagues and partners and, perhaps, have a call with President Trump and discuss it with him."

Ukraine agreed to a US proposal for a 30-day ceasefire during talks held in Saudi Arabia earlier this week. US President Donald Trump welcomed Ukraine's agreement to the ceasefire and affirmed hope that Russia will also agree to it.

Referring to the Saudi talks, the Russia President suggested that Ukraine's willingness for a ceasefire was 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.

Earlier in February, PM Modi 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.

Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.