Ukrainian envoy hints at Zelenskyy’s possible visit to India soon

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is expected to visit India in the near future. Both sides are currently in talks to finalize the exact date of the visit. Ukraine’s Ambassador to India, Oleksandr Polishchuk, confirmed the development on Saturday, calling it a big step forward in strengthening ties between the two nations.

This possible visit comes at an important time, as global attention continues to focus on the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict and India’s growing diplomatic engagement with both countries.

Ukraine and India discuss stronger partnership

Ambassador Polishchuk explained that India and Ukraine are working toward a stronger strategic partnership. He reminded that during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Kyiv in August 2024, the Indian leader personally invited President Zelenskyy to India.

“In relation to the declaration about the future strategic partnership between India and Ukraine, believe me, we have potential for that,” the Ukrainian envoy said. “The Indian Prime Minister invited Zelenskyy to come to India. Both sides are working on this. We expect President Zelenskyy to be in India, definitely. It will be a great achievement in our bilateral relationship… We are trying to agree on a precise date.”

If the visit takes place, it will be Zelenskyy’s first trip to India since the war with Russia began in February 2022. Diplomatic experts say this meeting could help India balance its ties with both Moscow and Kyiv, especially as New Delhi has repeatedly stressed the need for peace and dialogue.

Putin also set to visit India later this year

Zelenskyy’s possible visit comes shortly after India confirmed another important development — Russian President Vladimir Putin is scheduled to visit New Delhi by the end of 2025. The confirmation came earlier this month when India’s National Security Adviser (NSA) Ajit Doval visited Moscow.

Putin’s visit will be closely watched around the world, as it marks another step in India’s continued engagement with Russia despite global sanctions and tensions. Observers say New Delhi is trying to balance relations between major global powers. With U.S. President Donald Trump recently announcing 50 percent tariffs on Indian goods, India has been seen moving closer to Moscow and Beijing, which could even revive the RIC troika (Russia-India-China) grouping.

The timing of both visits — by Zelenskyy and Putin — reflects India’s unique diplomatic position. On one hand, India has deep defense and energy ties with Russia. On the other hand, it has shown growing interest in supporting peace in Ukraine and engaging directly with Kyiv.

India’s call for peace and diplomacy

Prime Minister Modi has repeatedly said that “this is not the era of war.” His message has been consistent during international meetings, including his conversations with both Putin and Zelenskyy. Modi has emphasized that the only way forward in the Russia-Ukraine conflict is through dialogue and diplomacy.

Over the last two years, India has walked a fine line. It has avoided openly criticizing Russia, given their long-standing partnership, but it has also offered humanitarian assistance to Ukraine and called for peace in international forums like the G20.

On August 16, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) issued a statement welcoming the summit between Putin and Trump in Alaska. The MEA said, “Their leadership in the pursuit of peace is highly commendable. India appreciates the progress made in the summit. The way forward can only be through dialogue and diplomacy. The world wants to see an early end to the conflict in Ukraine.”

This statement highlights New Delhi’s belief that high-level dialogue between global leaders — whether it involves Russia, the U.S., or Ukraine — is essential for stability and peace.

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What Zelenskyy’s visit could mean

If finalized, Zelenskyy’s India visit could serve several purposes. Firstly, it will allow him to directly share Ukraine’s perspective on the ongoing war and seek stronger support from India in global forums. Secondly, it could pave the way for increased economic and cultural cooperation between the two countries, which had been limited since the war began.

For India, the visit will be equally significant. By hosting both Putin and Zelenskyy in the same year, India positions itself as a key mediator that maintains relations with both sides of the conflict. Analysts say this could strengthen India’s global image as a responsible power that promotes peace.

India’s balancing act also reflects its broader foreign policy strategy. Rather than choosing sides, New Delhi is focusing on protecting its national interests, maintaining economic ties, and working toward peace. The upcoming visits will test how far this approach can go in practice.

As discussions continue, officials from both India and Ukraine are working to finalize the schedule for Zelenskyy’s visit. Once confirmed, it is likely to attract global attention, especially because of its timing alongside Putin’s expected visit.

For now, India has made it clear that it will continue engaging with all stakeholders, encouraging dialogue, and promoting diplomacy as the only way to end the ongoing conflict. The visits of both leaders — Putin and Zelenskyy — could give New Delhi a rare opportunity to demonstrate its influence on the global stage and reinforce its message that peace is the ultimate goal.