By Sinjini Mitra
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has stated the fact that India is largely on Ukraine’s side in this recent ongoing war with Russia and urged the other Western nations to maintain close engagement with New Delhi. He remarked during an interview with the news channel from New York, The Fox News, where he was attending the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).
Zelensky stated that “I think India is mostly with us” (Quoted from The Hindu), acknowledging the ongoing challenges over energy trade but expressing its confidence that India might consider its connections with the Russian Energy sector, and stressing the fact that the West should ensure India does not withdraw its support.
The Ukrainian leader also addressed the evolving dynamics with the former U.S. President Donald Trump, noting closer ties than he said, “I think we have better relations than before” (quoted by The Hindu), adding to the fact that Russia repeated misrepresentations to Trump and helped in improving their relationship. The Ukrainian leader welcomed recent signals from Trump expressing his optimism about Ukraine’s ability to regain its territory with the support of NATO and European support.
Meanwhile, Trump has imposed a 25% tariff on Indian goods, which is linked to oil and arms trade with Russia and pressured Europe to end trade with Russia for its oil and LNG. European commission president Ursullo Von der Leyen confirmed that the European Union is actively reducing its energy imports from Russia through its sanctions rather than fines as the main focus.
Zelenskyy’s comments highlight Kyiv’s strategy to secure broad international backing, particularly from an emerging power like India, while reinforcing support from old allies in Europe and the US as conflict with Russia enters the second year.