Russian President Discusses Ukraine Peace With Close Advisor to Indian Prime Minister

Russian President Vladimir Putin will discuss New Delhi's efforts to resolve the conflict between Moscow and Kiev with National Security Advisor Ajit Doval - Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's closest domestic and foreign policy adviser.

According to a September 8 article, security adviser Doval is scheduled to visit the Russian capital on September 10-11.

During his time in Moscow, Mr. Doval will meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin and discuss peace efforts to resolve the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war.

According to sources, the Indian national security adviser will also attend a meeting of BRICS security officials and hold separate talks with representatives of Russia and China.

The report on adviser Doval's trip to Russia comes after a major diplomatic push by Modi to find a peaceful solution to the conflict between Moscow and Kiev.

In July, Prime Minister Modi visited Moscow and said that he and President Putin were able to exchange views on the ongoing conflict in Ukraine “in an open manner.” For his part, the Russian leader thanked the Indian prime minister for trying to find a way to resolve the conflict.

However, the trip has sparked an angry response from Kiev, with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky calling it "a huge disappointment and a blow to peace efforts".

Last month, Prime Minister Modi also traveled to Ukraine to hold talks with President Zelensky, becoming the first South Asian head of government to visit Ukraine in more than 20 years. During the visit, Prime Minister Modi emphasized that dialogue and diplomacy are the only means to end the fighting. He told the Ukrainian leader that "India has never been neutral in this war, we are on the side of peace." According to Bloomberg, Modi has also agreed to play a role in conveying messages between the two sides.

Earlier this week, President Putin said that China, Brazil and India were potential mediators in resolving the conflict between Russia and Ukraine.

The Russian leader stressed once again that Moscow has never refused negotiations with Kiev, but asserted that these negotiations cannot be based on a number of unrealistic demands as Ukraine has put forward.