'Not an era of war': India backs US-Russia meet on Ukraine
| 2025-08-10
'Not an era of war': India backs US-Russia meet on Ukraine
India welcomes planned US-Russia summit in Alaska aimed at ending Ukraine war, as President Trump warns of more sanctions and raises tariffs.
India has welcomed the announcement that United States President Donald Trump will meet Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska on 15 August, in a bid to find a peaceful resolution to the conflict in Ukraine. The endorsement came even as Washington sharply increased tariffs on Indian imports over its purchases of Russian oil.
In a statement, the Ministry of External Affairs said the agreement to hold the summit “holds the promise of bringing to an end the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and opening up the prospects for peace”. It cited Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s frequent remarks that “this is not an era of war” and said India “stands ready to support these efforts”.
The planned meeting will mark Mr Putin’s first visit to the US in a decade. The Kremlin confirmed the leaders would focus on “long-term peaceful resolution” to the war, which began with Russia’s invasion in February 2022.
Mr Trump described the talks as “highly anticipated”, writing on his Truth Social platform: “The highly anticipated meeting between myself, as President of the United States of America, and President Vladimir Putin of Russia will take place next Friday, August 15, 2025, in the Great State of Alaska. Further details to follow. Thank you for your attention to this matter!”
The White House has said discussions may include “territorial adjustments” to achieve peace, though Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has rejected any suggestion of ceding land. “Ukrainians will not give their land to the occupier,” Mr Zelensky posted on Telegram.
The choice of Alaska carries symbolic significance as the territory was purchased from Russia by the US in 1867. It also sits geographically close to Russia’s eastern border.
Meanwhile, tensions between Washington and New Delhi escalated after Mr Trump announced a combined 50% tariff on Indian imports, accusing the country of supporting Moscow’s “war machine” by buying Russian oil. The order, which adds a fresh 25% duty on top of an existing 25%, will be implemented in two stages starting 7 August, with the additional charge taking effect on 27 August.
“I find that the Government of India is currently directly or indirectly importing Russian Federation oil,” Mr Trump said in the proclamation. “Accordingly… articles of India imported into the customs territory of the United States shall be subject to an additional ad valorem rate of duty of 25%.”
The move follows a three-hour meeting in Moscow between Mr Putin and Mr Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff, which the US described as “highly productive”. Mr Witkoff reportedly suggested a possible trilateral meeting with Mr Zelensky, an idea Russia has not commented on.
Mr Trump has pledged to end the war in Ukraine “within 24 hours” if re-elected, but previous diplomatic efforts – including direct talks between Moscow and Kyiv – have so far failed to produce a breakthrough.
With both geopolitical stakes and trade tensions high, the Alaska summit is being seen as the most direct attempt yet by Washington to broker a settlement, though prospects remain uncertain.
In a statement, the Ministry of External Affairs said the agreement to hold the summit “holds the promise of bringing to an end the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and opening up the prospects for peace”. It cited Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s frequent remarks that “this is not an era of war” and said India “stands ready to support these efforts”.
The planned meeting will mark Mr Putin’s first visit to the US in a decade. The Kremlin confirmed the leaders would focus on “long-term peaceful resolution” to the war, which began with Russia’s invasion in February 2022.
Mr Trump described the talks as “highly anticipated”, writing on his Truth Social platform: “The highly anticipated meeting between myself, as President of the United States of America, and President Vladimir Putin of Russia will take place next Friday, August 15, 2025, in the Great State of Alaska. Further details to follow. Thank you for your attention to this matter!”
The White House has said discussions may include “territorial adjustments” to achieve peace, though Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has rejected any suggestion of ceding land. “Ukrainians will not give their land to the occupier,” Mr Zelensky posted on Telegram.
The choice of Alaska carries symbolic significance as the territory was purchased from Russia by the US in 1867. It also sits geographically close to Russia’s eastern border.
Meanwhile, tensions between Washington and New Delhi escalated after Mr Trump announced a combined 50% tariff on Indian imports, accusing the country of supporting Moscow’s “war machine” by buying Russian oil. The order, which adds a fresh 25% duty on top of an existing 25%, will be implemented in two stages starting 7 August, with the additional charge taking effect on 27 August.
“I find that the Government of India is currently directly or indirectly importing Russian Federation oil,” Mr Trump said in the proclamation. “Accordingly… articles of India imported into the customs territory of the United States shall be subject to an additional ad valorem rate of duty of 25%.”
The move follows a three-hour meeting in Moscow between Mr Putin and Mr Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff, which the US described as “highly productive”. Mr Witkoff reportedly suggested a possible trilateral meeting with Mr Zelensky, an idea Russia has not commented on.
Mr Trump has pledged to end the war in Ukraine “within 24 hours” if re-elected, but previous diplomatic efforts – including direct talks between Moscow and Kyiv – have so far failed to produce a breakthrough.
With both geopolitical stakes and trade tensions high, the Alaska summit is being seen as the most direct attempt yet by Washington to broker a settlement, though prospects remain uncertain.
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