India’s role in efforts to end the Russia-Ukraine war through negotiations has gained more importance. Kiev described India’s proposal as the most comprehensive of the four ongoing efforts and said it was the first time New Delhi had shown readiness to play an active mediating role. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sibiha recently said that Ukraine is ready to consider agreements on both energy and agriculture in the Black Sea, as well as an unconditional ceasefire along the contact line.
“We have four proposals. The biggest one is India’s proposal. For the first time, India has shown readiness to play a role,” Sibiha told a press briefing. India’s proposal is also included in the four initiatives.”
According to Sibiha, Ukraine A cease-fire is agreed on the condition that it includes not only combat operations but also attacks on energy and port infrastructure and the status of the Black Sea. We have four propositions. The biggest proposal is from India. We are ready for energy and Black Sea ceasefire, but only in this combination.
Ukraine has received proposals from four countries
According to Sibiha, four proposals are currently being considered in diplomatic efforts to end the war. The foreign minister of Ukraine described India’s proposal as the biggest. Turkey and Egypt have separately proposed an embargo on grain and agriculture in the Black Sea, while the US has proposed an energy embargo. The agricultural and maritime sectors are particularly important for Egypt, which depends on Ukrainian grain for a third of its supply.
The US proposal to embargo energy was also discussed during the meeting between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and American Donald Trump. Kiev has conveyed its vision to its allies and wants the energy and Black Sea sectors to be treated as an interconnected package. Sibiha said that for the energy part, attacks on energy infrastructure, including port facilities, have to be completely stopped. Ukraine has also indicated its readiness for an unconditional ceasefire along the Line of Contact.
The only way out would be through a meeting between Zelensky and Putin
Sibiha said such a ceasefire could be brought about by a meeting between Zelenskyi and Russian President Vladimir Putin. According to the Foreign Minister of Ukraine, the US is currently actively working on this diplomatic track.
Kyiv supports safe Black Sea shipping. Ukraine’s new stance builds on India’s earlier talks with Kiev to restore safe navigation in the Black Sea. During a meeting of the UN General Assembly last month, Zelensky said that Egypt, India and Turkey have put forward options for a maritime ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine. Zelensky said at the time, “We are waiting for Russia’s response. Ukraine is ready… to ensure safe shipping and food security in the Black Sea, if Russia is also ready to take real steps towards de-escalation. We have to start somewhere.”
India wants talks between Moscow and Kiev
India is advocating dialogue and diplomacy with both Moscow and Kiev. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said that India is in constant touch with both sides and is exploring ideas that can help reduce and eventually end the fighting.
“We are ready if India can help in any way,” Jaishankar said during a visit to Kiev last month. During that visit, Jaishankar met Zelensky and Sibiha, during which peace efforts, mutual cooperation, Black Sea navigation and global food security were discussed. Sibiha also said that Ukraine values India’s participation in efforts to restore freedom of navigation in the Black Sea.
“Restoring freedom of navigation is important for global food security. Ukraine is ready to play a positive role and we appreciate India’s involvement,” he said in a post on Twitter.
All eyes are on Russia
Russia’s attitude is important for the next steps. Although Ukraine has indicated a willingness to consider several limited ceasefire arrangements, Russia’s response remains crucial to whether the proposals can move forward. Sibiha’s comments come amid mixed assessments in Europe about Moscow. Concrete peace involves a willingness to engage in dialogue.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz recently said that Russia was not yet interested in real peace talks, while German Foreign Minister Johann Wedeful expressed hope that talks to end the war could begin soon.
