The key facts
- Zelensky and Modi discussed diplomatic efforts to end the war on the eve of the talks in Abu Dhabi
- India confirmed its readiness to help with a peaceful settlement and with grain corridors through the Black Sea
- Talks between Russia, the US and Ukraine are scheduled for November 10–11 in Abu Dhabi
A call on the eve of the talks
On November 9, a day before the new round of talks between Russia, the US and Ukraine in Abu Dhabi, Volodymyr Zelensky held a phone conversation with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This was reported by Life.ru and the Turkish agency Anadolu. Modi described the conversation as productive and confirmed New Delhi's readiness to help settle the conflict peacefully.
What the parties agreed on
According to Zelensky, he informed the Indian prime minister about the latest diplomatic steps and about the fact that Kyiv is 'actively' preparing for every item on the agenda of the trilateral meeting in Abu Dhabi. He also noted that Modi has 'more than once, including directly to the Russian leader,' said that now is the time to end the war rather than continue it, and stressed the importance of India determining what steps it can take to help bring the war to an end.
Grain corridors through the Black Sea
A separate topic was Russia's blocking of grain exports through the Black Sea. Zelensky said that India is ready to act as a mediator in organizing food corridors and that Ukraine 'is counting' on its support. According to him, the closed sea routes harm the global economy and hundreds of millions of people. Life.ru also notes India's readiness to help organize corridors for grain exports.
Context: the talks in Abu Dhabi
The trilateral talks involving representatives of Russia, the US and Ukraine are scheduled to take place in Abu Dhabi on November 10–11. According to Life.ru, the head of the Ukrainian negotiating team, Rustem Umerov said that his team intends to hold consultations with representatives of the United Kingdom, France, Germany and Italy before meeting with Russia and the US; the Ukrainian and Russian delegations have already flown to the UAE. Anadolu recalls that previous rounds of talks mediated by the US took place on January 23–24 and February 4–5 in Abu Dhabi, and on February 17–18 in Geneva.
