MR MODI’S VISIT TO UKRAINE – SURPRISE AND HOPE – By N.S.Venkataraman
Certainly, eyebrows were raised when it was announced that Indian Prime Minister Modi would visit Ukraine and with many people speculating as to what could be the purpose of his visit at this time of what looks to be an unending war between Ukraine and Russia. Particularly since this visit to Ukraine was preceded by a visit to Russia a few weeks back, discerning observers were made to suspect that this could be a balancing act of Mr. Modi to satisfy USA that he would not be taking the side of Russia in the ongoing war.
In any case, there is considerable surprise at Mr. Modi’s initiative and there is speculation as to whether he had received green signal from Russian President Putin and Ukraine President Zelensky to act as a mediator to end the conflict.
While Russia started this war with a time table of a few weeks to complete the defeat of Ukraine, this has not happened. With the war going on for over two years now with heavy casualties in both the countries and both the countries suffering considerably in economic terms , there must be anxiety in both the countries to end this war as early as possible. The recent swap deal between Ukraine and Russia that secured the release of 220 captives, in spite of the ongoing war , only prove the underlying desire in both the countries to end this war somehow.
Obviously, both the countries want a face saving formula and a credible mediator. Probably, Mr. Modi must have thought that with this thought process of the leadership of both Russia and Ukraine, this could be the right time to play a proactive role to end this conflict. Mr. Modi must have also expected that by such initiative, he could raise the reputation and stock of India globally and perhaps, could also enhance his personal image both in India and abroad.
With the hug of leaders of other countries that Mr. Modi is now known for , he has hugged both Mr. Putin and Mr. Zelensky and the photographs are now prominently appearing in the global media.
Now that Mr. Mod’s visit to Ukraine has ended , what could be the future development ? Will the war end soon ?
The ground reality is that even if the people of Ukraine and leadership of Ukraine want to end this war, Ukraine President can take decision to end the war only if USA would permit. Of course, the European nations would welcome the war coming to an end . In this respect, it is possible that the attitude of European countries and USA could be fundamentally different with regard to Ukraine Russia war , though the European countries seem to have no alternative other than going with the USA in taking an anti Russian stand.
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Any war has to end in one way or the other and Ukraine Russia war has to end sooner or later
Mr. Modi has taken a challenging task and in all probability, he may not be successful in his efforts to bring peace. So far, he is not known to have pronounced any face saving formula acceptable to both the countries. . Whether Mr. Modi can catalyse the ending of this war is a moot question , though it is accepted that he has made a valiant attempt .To this extent, that Mr. Modi’s efforts should be praised.
In the turbulent world politics, there are not many world leaders who could be acceptable to both the warring groups. Mr. Modi appears to have this stature as seen by his successful visit to Russia and Ukraine and the warm welcome he received in both the countries.
One fact that cannot be missed is the failure of the UNO and more particularly the failure of UNO’s Secretary General to take the position of mediator role to end this conflict. In this scenario, UNO and its Secretary General are conspicuous by absence and Mr. Modi has proved this.
