PM Modi also talked about the evacuation of Indians from Sumy at the earliest 
PM Modi also talked about the evacuation of Indians from Sumy at the earliest Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday dialled Russian President Vladimir Putin in the midst of the Russia-Ukraine crisis moments after speaking on the phone with Ukrainian President Zelenskyy.
During the course of this approximately 50-minute-long phone call, President Putin briefed PM Modi on the status of negotiations between Russia and Ukraine, reported news agency ANI said citing government sources.
Prime Minister Modi, on the other hand, urged Putin to hold direct talks with the Ukrainian President Zelenskyy apart from the ongoing negotiations between the two countries. He also backed Moscow for announcing a ceasefire and establishing humanitarian corridors across parts of Ukraine. These corridors will be opened from Kharkiv, Mariupol and Sumy.
PM Modi also talked about the evacuation of Indians from Sumy at the earliest. Following this, Putin assured PM Modi of all possible cooperation in safe evacuation of Indians. Sumy is the focal point of India's ongoing rescue operations in Ukraine. Approximately 700 Indians, mostly students of medical colleges at Sumy State University, are stranded there.
Prior to his conversation with Putin, PM Modi also had a word with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. This conversation lasted for about 35 minutes. Both the leaders discussed the situation in Ukraine. PM Modi backed the ongoing dialogue between Russia and Ukraine and also thanked Ukraine for its help in the evacuation of Indian nationals from the war-torn nation.
“Informed Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi about Ukraine countering Russian aggression. India appreciates the assistance to its citizens during the war and Ukraine’s commitment to direct peaceful dialogue at the highest level. Grateful for the support to the Ukrainian people,” Zelenskyy tweeted about his conversation with PM Modi.
PM Modi's interaction with Putin today was the third telephonic conversation between the two leaders after the military conflict began in Ukraine 11 days back.
(With agency inputs)
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