India Ready to Help End Ukraine-Russia War: Jaishankar’s Major Statement

New Delhi: India has offered to help end the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine, which began on February 24, 2022. Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar made this statement during his visit to Ukraine. He affirmed that India is prepared to assist in bringing the conflict to a close. Speaking to reporters in Kyiv on Thursday, the External Affairs Minister stated that India is ready to mediate if the need arises.

Statement Made in the Presence of Ukraine’s Foreign Minister
According to the news agency Reuters, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, while alongside Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, said that if India can help in any way, it is ready to do so. He also mentioned that the two ministers discussed the attacks on commercial shipping in the Black Sea. The External Affairs Minister addressed the press in Kyiv following his meeting with his Ukrainian counterpart, Andrii Sybiha.

External Affairs Minister on a Visit to Ukraine
External Affairs Minister Jaishankar is currently visiting Ukraine. The Ministry of External Affairs stated that he would hold bilateral talks with his Ukrainian counterpart, Andrii Sybiha, and Poland’s Deputy Prime Minister, Radosław Sikorski. An official statement from the Ministry noted that the visit aims to strengthen bilateral ties and provide an opportunity to exchange views on regional developments and issues of mutual interest. This visit takes place against the backdrop of recent tensions between Russia and Ukraine in the Black Sea, during which Indian sailors were killed and injured.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Welcomes PM Modi’s Appeal
Regarding the visit, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Sybiha said, “It is an honor for me to welcome my Indian counterpart to Kyiv as the first Indian External Affairs Minister to visit Ukraine.” This historic moment comes at a time when Russian attacks on our cities, port infrastructure, and civilian vessels are intensifying. Our capital is facing constant attacks. I commend my colleague for this courageous visit.

During our discussions, we addressed the need to ensure freedom of navigation in the Black Sea and to uphold global food security. India is a global power. We welcome Prime Minister Modi’s call to move away from the endless conflict and work towards ending the war. Ukraine is ready for diplomacy. Furthermore, the Ukrainian Foreign Minister stated that we also discussed our bilateral cooperation. We are prepared to fully leverage our potential across sectors ranging from infrastructure and pharmaceuticals to technological innovation and digitalization. We have agreed to convene the next meeting of the Intergovernmental Commission to transform promising opportunities into major, mutually beneficial projects.

How many lives have been lost in the war so far?
Since the war between Ukraine and Russia began in February 2022, two million soldiers have been killed or wounded. A report by the Center for Strategic and International Studies indicates that total Russian military casualties have reached 1.2 million; of these, over 500,000 soldiers have been killed. Meanwhile, the figure for Ukraine stands at 500,000 to 600,000 soldiers, with 100,000 to 150,000 fatalities. Additionally, according to a UN report, more than 16,000 civilians have lost their lives in the war so far, and over 46,500 people have been injured.