Modi, Zelenskyy Discuss Ukraine Conflict by Phone
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy as Russia and Ukraine continue fighting nearly five years after the invasion.
Updated on Nov. 9, 2026 in International Relations
Narendra Modi spoke with Volodymyr Zelenskyy by telephone about the ongoing conflict and bilateral ties. Modi reiterated India's support for resolving the conflict through dialogue and diplomacy and conveyed India's readiness to contribute to peaceful resolution efforts.
Why it matters
The call signals continued diplomatic engagement from India as the war enters its fifth year with no settlement in place. Trilateral talks between the U.S., Russia and Ukraine are scheduled to begin soon, adding weight to outreach from non-combatant partners.
The conflict has run nearly five years since Russia's invasion, with hundreds of thousands of soldiers killed and thousands of civilians dead. The call's specific bilateral cooperation measures were not detailed in the readouts.
The players
Narendra Modi
Prime Minister of India, who has positioned his country as willing to support peaceful resolution of the conflict.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy
President of Ukraine, who shared his perspective on recent developments in the war with the Indian leader.
The details
The leaders discussed the ongoing conflict and measures to deepen India-Ukraine cooperation across several sectors. The same period saw Russia strike Ukraine's power grid again and Ukrainian forces hit one of Russia's largest oil refineries.
Timeline
Monday: Modi and Zelenskyy hold telephone conversation.
Tuesday: U.S., Russia and Ukraine three-way talks are due to begin in Abu Dhabi.
Big Picture
Nearly five years after Russia's February 2022 full-scale invasion, diplomatic outreach from third countries such as India continues alongside direct U.S.-Russia-Ukraine negotiations. The telephone call follows that pattern of engagement without yet producing a settlement.
The outcome of the planned Abu Dhabi talks could shape whether the fighting and attacks on energy infrastructure continue. Readers following global energy markets may feel effects if strikes on refineries and power grids persist.
The takeaway
Diplomatic contact from non-combatant nations and direct negotiations are running in parallel, but no settlement has yet been reached. Watching the outcome of the Abu Dhabi talks offers the clearest signal of where the conflict may head.
What happens next
Three-way talks between envoys from the U.S., Russia and Ukraine are due to start in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday.
Further reading
Explore more in International Relations for context on how countries are engaging with the war.
