Ukraine discussed during PM Modi’s talks with Nordic leaders

Copenhagen, May 4: The Ukraine conflict was discussed during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s bilateral meetings with the leaders of Nordic countries of Finland, Norway, Sweden and Iceland today, as well as during the Second India-Nordic summit held in Copenhagen. The issue of Ukraine also found mention in the Joint Statement issued later. “Both in the bilateral conversations and in the summit meeting also, the leaders did exchange views on matters of regional and global interest and that naturally included Ukraine, also there also discussions on the Indo Pacific,” Foreign Secretary Vinay Mohan Kwatra said, briefing the media on the India-Nordic Summit. On Ukraine, the Joint Statement said that the Prime Ministers “pledged to continue to deepen cooperation between the Nordic countries and India and focused their discussions on key issues related to international peace and security, including the conflict in Ukraine…” The Nordic Prime Ministers — Mette Frederiksen of Denmark, Katrín Jakobsdóttir of Iceland, Jonas Gahr Støre of Norway, Magdalena Andersson of Sweden and Sanna Marin of Finland “reiterated their strong condemnation of the unlawful and unprovoked aggression against Ukraine by Russian Forces”, it said. “The Prime Ministers also expressed their serious concern about the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Ukraine. They unequivocally condemned civilian deaths in Ukraine. “They reiterated the need for an immediate cessation of hostilities. They emphasized that the contemporary global order has been built on the UN Charter, international law and respect for sovereignty and the territorial integrity of states. “They discussed the destabilizing effect of the conflict in Ukraine and its broader regional and global implications. Both sides agreed to remain closely engaged on the issue.” The Swedish PM, in a tweet, said she had productive talks with PM Modi “on our strong partnership, multilateral cooperation, climate, green transition & Russia’s aggression against Ukraine”. The Norwegian PM, in a tweet, said that he discussed Ukraine with PM Modi. “Also exchange on Russia’s war in #Ukraine, shared Norway’s condemnation.” On Tuesday, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen had urged India to use its influence with Russian President Vladimir Putin to end the Ukraine conflict. In her press statement following talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, she expressed hope that India would be able to influence Russia to end the Ukraine conflict. “My message is very clear, Putin has got to stop this war, and to end the killings. I of course hope that India will influence Russia also in this discussion,” she added. In a tweet, she said that the two “also talked about the war in Ukraine.” “Made Denmark and EU’s position clear, and that we would like to see India use its influence with Putin.” (UNI)