Ukraine’s Foreign Minister, Dmytro Kuleba, is gearing up for his first visit to Bharat since the start of the Russian invasion in 2022. Expected by the end of this month, the visit aims to garner support for a peace summit amidst the ongoing conflict. Kuleba will lead a high-level delegation during this short yet significant trip.
The agenda includes co-chairing a meeting of the Bharat-Ukraine inter-governmental commission with his Bharatiya counterpart, S Jaishankar. This commission oversees all aspects of bilateral relations and hasn’t convened since 2018, making this meeting particularly crucial for strengthening ties between the two nations.
While the official announcement of Kuleba’s visit is pending from both sides, insiders suggest his presence in New Delhi around March 28. Top on Kuleba’s agenda is the peace summit proposed by neutral Switzerland, aimed at building on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s 10-point peace formula unveiled in 2022.
China’s potential participation in the peace conference adds a layer of significance to Kuleba’s diplomatic efforts. With Beijing considering involvement, the prospects for meaningful dialogue to end the conflict in Ukraine look promising. The Swiss government aims to hold the peace summit by this summer, following the idea’s inception in January.
Kuleba’s diplomatic initiatives have been ongoing, with his first phone call in 2024 being to Jaishankar on January 3 to discuss Ukraine-India relations. This included deliberations on Russia’s escalated attacks and cooperation on Zelenskyy’s peace formula. Kuleba emphasized Ukraine’s vision for the Global Peace Summit of leaders during the call.
Bharat’s stance on the Ukraine-Russia conflict has been measured, refraining from public condemnation of Russia while expressing support for peaceful solutions through dialogue and diplomacy. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s message during his meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in September 2022 emphasized the era’s focus on peace rather than war, echoing sentiments reflected in the G20 Summits’ declarations in 2022 and 2023.
In recent years, Ukraine has actively engaged with India through diplomatic channels. Deputy Foreign Ministers Emine Dzhaparova and Iryna Borovets visited India in 2023 and February 2024, respectively. Borovets’ visit, which included participation in the Raisina Dialogue, aimed at furthering bilateral cooperation and inviting India to participate in the planned peace summit.
Kuleba’s upcoming visit signifies a continuation of these diplomatic efforts, with both nations striving for a peaceful resolution to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. As geopolitical dynamics evolve, Bharat’s role in supporting global peace initiatives remains crucial, making Kuleba’s discussions with Bharatiya counterparts pivotal for future diplomatic engagements.
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