JNS: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has sharply criticized Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent visit to Russia and his interaction with Russian President Vladimir Putin, focusing particularly on the moment they shared a hug during the visit.
In a pointed post on X (formerly Twitter), Zelenskyy expressed outrage over the timing of the embrace, which occurred against the backdrop of a deadly Russian missile strike on a children’s hospital in Kyiv.
The attack, which took place on Monday, resulted in the deaths of at least 37 people, including three children, and caused significant damage to nearly 100 buildings, including schools and maternity hospitals.
Zelenskyy’s tweet featured images of the bombed hospital and babies being evacuated in ambulances, underscoring the devastating impact of the recent attack on civilian infrastructure.
His post condemned the sight of the world’s largest democracy’s leader embracing the “world’s most bloody criminal” during a period of severe conflict.
The criticism came in response to visuals from PM Modi’s two-day visit to Moscow, where he and President Putin were seen sharing tea on a terrace at Putin’s residence in Novo-Ogaryovo and enjoying a golf cart tour. One photograph of the hug between Modi and Putin has been widely circulated and scrutinized online.
Zelenskyy’s comments highlight the stark contrast between the warm diplomatic gesture and the ongoing violence in Ukraine. Modi’s trip to Moscow marks his first visit since beginning his third term as Prime Minister and his first visit to Russia since the onset of the Ukraine war.
The visit is viewed as part of India’s effort to maintain a longstanding relationship with Russia while navigating closer ties with Western nations amidst the global conflict.
