After Putin’s India Visit, Is It Zelenskyy’s Turn? Ukrainian President May Visit India in January 2026

Published on: 08 Dec 2025 at 12:29 PM

Published by: Gill Bikram

After Putin’s India Visit, Is It Zelenskyy’s Turn? Ukrainian President May Visit India in January 2026

New Delhi | December 8, 2025 | 08:17 IST

Following the conclusion of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s two-day visit to India, diplomatic circles are now abuzz with discussions about a possible visit by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Reports suggest that Zelenskyy could travel to India as early as January 2026, underscoring New Delhi’s carefully balanced approach to the ongoing Russia–Ukraine war.

According to sources cited by The Indian Express, Indian and Ukrainian officials have been engaged in sustained discussions over the past several weeks to explore the feasibility of the visit. Significantly, India had already initiated contact with Kyiv on this matter even before President Putin arrived in New Delhi.

India’s Balancing Act Between Russia and Ukraine

India remains one of the few major global powers to have maintained open channels of communication with both Moscow and Kyiv throughout the conflict. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s engagements with leaders from both sides — including visits to Russia and Ukraine — reflect New Delhi’s consistent effort to position itself as a potential bridge for dialogue.

The possible visit by President Zelenskyy roughly a month after Putin’s India trip is being viewed as geopolitically significant. Analysts believe it highlights India’s growing diplomatic stature and the trust both warring sides appear to place in New Delhi’s role.

Notably, both Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy have, on different occasions, indicated that India could play a constructive role in efforts to bring the war to an end.

Factors That Could Influence the Visit

Officials caution that any formal announcement regarding Zelenskyy’s India visit will depend on several evolving factors. These include:

Progress on the peace framework proposed by U.S. President Donald Trump
The ground situation on the battlefield in Ukraine
Domestic political challenges facing President Zelenskyy, which may limit extensive foreign travel

Given these variables, diplomatic planning remains fluid, though discussions are reportedly “active and positive.”

Historical Context of Ukraine–India Engagements

Ukraine and India share a history of high-level political exchanges. Ukrainian presidents have visited India three times since diplomatic relations were established — in 1992, 2002, and 2012. More recently, Prime Minister Narendra Modi became the first Indian prime minister to visit Ukraine last year, a move widely seen as a signal of India’s evolving engagement with Eastern Europe.

India’s Position on the Russia–Ukraine War

Since the conflict began nearly four years ago, India has consistently adopted a balanced and dialogue-driven stance. Without openly backing either side, New Delhi has repeatedly called for:

An immediate cessation of hostilities
Respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity
Resolution of differences through diplomacy and dialogue

During his meeting with President Putin last week, Prime Minister Modi reiterated that India is not neutral in the conflict, but firmly stands with peace. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar has echoed this view, emphasizing that violence must stop and that diplomacy remains the only viable path forward.

India has also maintained that it is ready to contribute meaningfully to any genuine peace effort — a position that may gain further traction if President Zelenskyy’s proposed visit materializes.

If confirmed, the Ukrainian president’s trip would not only mark a key diplomatic moment but could also reinforce India’s emerging role as a credible global interlocutor in one of the world’s most consequential conflicts.