As Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy voiced “huge disappointment,” describing it as a “devastating blow to peace efforts.”
Zelenskyy’s reaction comes in the wake of a Russian missile strike on a children’s hospital in Kyiv, which left 37 people dead, including three children, and 170 injured, with 13 children among the wounded.
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“In Ukraine today, 37 people were killed, three of whom were children, and 170 were injured, including 13 children, as a result of Russia’s brutal missile strike. A Russian missile struck the largest children’s hospital in Ukraine, targeting young cancer patients. Many were buried under the rubble,” Zelenskyy stated.
He expressed his dismay at the timing of Modi’s visit, remarking, “It is a huge disappointment and a devastating blow to peace efforts to see the leader of the world’s largest democracy hug the world’s most bloody criminal in Moscow on such a day,” he posted on X (formerly Twitter).
During his two-day visit to Moscow, PM Modi referred to Russia as “India’s all-weather and reliable friend” and praised Putin for fostering a strong partnership between the two nations.
Also Read: Russia to release Indians from army following Modi’s appeal amid Ukraine conflict
The two leaders held an informal meeting on Monday, during which Modi reportedly discussed various issues. Formal talks were scheduled for the 22nd India-Russia annual summit on Tuesday, where the Indian delegation planned to emphasize that “a solution cannot be found on the battlefield,” according to sources.
Zelenskyy’s condemnation follows a series of Russian missile attacks on five Ukrainian cities on Monday, which resulted in at least 31 deaths and significant damage, including to the country’s largest children’s hospital.
Despite Russia’s denial of targeting civilian areas, claiming “we do not conduct strikes on civilian targets,” as stated by Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, the Ukrainian Security Service reported finding fragments of a Russian Kh-101 Kalibr missile at the hospital site.
This incident further escalates tensions between Ukraine and Russia, highlighting the ongoing humanitarian crisis and the complex international dynamics involving major global leaders.
