Russian President Vladimir Putin stated on Monday that addressing NATO’s eastward expansion is vital for achieving lasting peace in Ukraine. His comments came after discussions with China’s Xi Jinping and India’s Narendra Modi during the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) meeting in Tianjin.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Tianjin, where he pressed for speeding up efforts toward a ceasefire in Ukraine.
The security assurances for Ukraine, with Germany joining, are a big step forward that have been interpreted as a promise and a responsibility by many. For Kyiv, the importance of this assurance is not limited to politics but encompasses the existential and future hope regarding self-defence against further Russian aggression.
The United States and India are encountering a fresh tension in their relationship. Days before a significant increase in tariffs on Indian products goes into effect, US Vice President JD Vance has justified Washington’s choice, stating it aligns with President Donald Trump’s plan to pressure Russia to conclude its conflict in Ukraine.
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar strongly defended India’s energy policy during his visit to Moscow on Thursday (August 21, 2025), saying New Delhi was only following advice given by the United States itself.
In a heartfelt conversation on Monday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi assured Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy that India stands firmly committed to an early, peaceful end to the war in Ukraine. Speaking just days before the Russia–US summit on the conflict, Modi promised that India would make “every possible contribution” to help restore calm and stability.
Ukraine’s leader Volodymyr Zelensky claimed on X(Tweeter) that Russia is using mercenaries from China, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and various African countries to fight against Ukraine in the ongoing war. “We will respond” said Zelensky.
