FM Sybiha: India’s Role Is Key to Ensuring Long-Term Peace Amid Ongoing War

Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, in an exclusive interview with ThePrint on March 19, discussed the importance of India’s “influence” with Russia in ensuring a lasting and just peace in the ongoing war.

Speaking on the sidelines of the Raisina Dialogue in New Delhi, Sybiha emphasized India’s crucial role in the war’s resolution, particularly regarding freedom of navigation and the protection of nuclear energy sites.

“The participation and support from India is always important, especially if you talk about the freedom of navigation or protection of nuclear energy sites. Your [India’s] position is crucial, because you have influence on Russia. That is why your support of all these initiatives, initiatives that are aimed to ensure a long and just peace is important,” Sybiha remarked according to ThePrint.

In addition to this, Sybiha highlighted discussions with Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on establishing an intergovernmental trade commission and the inauguration of a new Ukrainian consulate general in Mumbai. The ministers agreed to explore ways to strengthen bilateral cooperation.

Sybiha’s visit to India, part of a three-day tour that started on March 17, also included participation in a business forum in Mumbai, where the new consulate was formally inaugurated said ThePrint. Sybiha’s remarks follow a period of evolving geopolitical and economic relations between India and Ukraine, with India’s economic engagement with Ukraine showing a decline from $2.5 billion in the 2019-2020 financial year to about $713 million by the end of 2023-2024.

However, Sybiha stressed that Ukraine was eager to deepen its trade ties with India, particularly in emerging sectors such as technology and space exploration.

“India, with your lunar mission [Chandrayaan-3], you joined a very prestigious global club. Ukraine played a role in this project, with our engine technologies. With India, we have the potential for trade from land to air and space. We are open and ready for deeper cooperation,” Sybiha added.

Sybiha also acknowledged the continued presence of Indian companies in Ukraine, which have maintained operations despite the ongoing war, providing employment to Ukrainians and contributing to the country’s resilience.

Beyond trade, Sybiha also highlighted India’s potential role in influencing Russia, citing Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Kyiv in August 2024 as a signal of solidarity. “The historic visit of Prime Minister Modi to Kyiv last August was important. It was a signal of solidarity and support and we really appreciate his visit,” Sybiha said.

The visit comes at a time when international efforts, particularly from the United States, are intensifying to bring an end to the war, ThePrint affirmed.

While the United States continues to push Ukraine toward negotiations with Russia, Sybiha reiterated Ukraine’s commitment to securing a resolution by the end of the year, despite the lack of direct conversations with Moscow.

Looking to the future, Sybiha noted that Ukraine’s reconstruction would present opportunities for international businesses. However, he clarified that access to the country’s post-war rebuilding would be extended only to those nations that have supported Ukraine throughout the Russia’s war against Ukraine.

Earlier, India finalized a $7.6 billion deal to purchase 26 French Rafale M fighter jets for its navy, marking a shift away from its reliance on Russian military aircraft.