Ukraine ready to buy made in India products, welcome Indian companies: President Zelenskyy

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday met Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv. This was the first meeting between the two leaders since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022. It was also the first time an Indian premier had visited the war torn country since 1991.

Zelenskyy held a press conference after the two held bilateral talks. The two countries also signed four agreements to provide for cooperation in agriculture, medicine, culture and humanitarian assistance.

The Ukrainian president expressed his happiness upon meeting Modi.


"A very good meeting. This is a historic one. I am very thankful to the PM for coming. It's a good beginning with some practical steps. If he (PM Modi) has ideas (on peace) we will happy to speak about it. But we don't change our territories on any propositions," Zelenskyy said.

Talking about trade, Zelenskyy said that Ukraine was ready buy made in India products. He added that the nation was also keen on welcoming Indian companies.


"Yeah, we are ready (to directly engage with India and buy products made in India in the near future). I gave these all messages to your productions. As I said, we are ready to exchange. We are ready to buy. We are ready to produce. We are ready to open your companies here or we are ready to open our companies in India. So we are very ready for such dialogue and for such work," he said.

About the war, Zelenskyy said that Modi wanted peace but Russian President Vladimir Putin was against it. He added that the Russian premier was not as smart as TV showed him to be.

PM Modi wants peace more than Putin. The problem is that Putin doesn't want it. I don't know what did they speak about when they had meeting. If during the official visit of PM, you attack the children in hospital. So, he had to recognise that he (Russian President) doesn't respect India or doesn't control his Army. It means that he doesn't respect Indian PM. So, for me, he is very clear. He is not so smart as his Russian TV shows.
" he added.

Talking about PM Modi's visit to Russia and his comments six weeks ago, Zelenskyy said, "As for Putin, my position was that my signal of condemnation was not because the PM (Modi) came to see Putin, but because the PM came to Putin and Putin killed our children. We wanted to have some reaction, to hear some response. I think it's important that the democratic world understands what is happening, and that Putin is a killer. As for the hugs with the PM of India or the handshakes or anything else, it's the decision made by every leader. I believe that if the leaders of the world are meeting with other leaders who kill people and children, conquer territories, and invade the territories, it means that there is no diplomatic isolation to this person. It means that this is an act," said Zelenskyy.


"A person like Putin would understand that he's doing something wrong, that he is isolated, that he's alone, and that the whole world condemns him. That is why I believe that we cannot remain silent. We have to respond. And I always respond because I know what would be the end to that. So I will keep reminding anyone we have context with, and I think this is important," he added.

Further Zelenskyy spoke about Indian troops fighting for Russia in the war. "With regards to the citizens of India that were tricked to participate in the combat operations - PM Modi started with that, he said that he condemns it and he will make everything possible for the citizens of India not to be fighting in the lines of the Russian Army. I perfectly understand him. As for the Peace Summit, I truly believe that the second Peace Summit has to take place. It would be good if it would be held in one of the Global South Countries...I perfectly support this and told this to PM Modi that we could have the Global Peace Summit in India. It's a big country, it's a great democracy - the largest," said the Ukrainian president.

Zelenskyy also said that he would visit India in the future

Yes (I have plans to visit India) because when you begin a partnership, strategic partnership, and you begin some dialogue, I think that you don't need to lose time and do big pauses and that's why I think it will be good to meet together again. And if our meeting will be in India, I'll be happy to. I read a lot about your big and great country. I think to understand the country is to understand people also. I don't think that I will have enough time but anyway, it's better to be in your country because to find the key to your country and your prime minister is to see your people. I need very much to find a key to your country because I very much need your country on our side. It's not about your historical choice. But who knows? Maybe your country can be the key to this diplomatic influence. That's why I'll be happy to come to India as soon as your government and prime minister are ready to see me," he said.