‘Devastating For Children’: Hand On Zelensky’s Shoulder, PM Modi Pays Tributes At Kyiv War

Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Ukraine’s leader Volodymyr Zelensky on a historic visit to Kyiv on Friday. Both leaders embraced each other when they met at the Mariinsky palace in Kyiv.

PM Modi and President Zelensky were visibly emotional as an Ukrainian official was seen guiding both leaders through the museum which was built and set up in memory of children who have lost their lives in the ongoing 2022 Russo-Ukrainian conflict.

He was greeted by Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky at the multimedia Martyrologist Exposition on children at the National Museum of History of Ukraine here.

After a handshake, Modi gave a warm hug to Zelensky and as the two leaders walked towards the multimedia Exposition, slid a hand on his shoulder symbolising support for the leader of the war-torn nation.

After watching the multimedia presentations – that gave information about scores of children who died during the conflict – as part of the Exposition, Modi and Zelensky both stood silently in front of a wall-like structure which already had a lot of toys placed in memory of the children.

With folded hands, Modi offered a silent prayer before placing a small toy (a doll) at the memorial as the Ukrainian President placed a teddy bear.

Both leaders, on their social media accounts, posted pictures of the visit and highlighted how war adversely impacts children in conflict zones and poses a threat to their well-being and safety.

“Conflict is particularly devastating for young children. My heart goes out to the families of children who lost their lives, and I pray that they find the strength to endure their grief,” PM Modi wrote in a post on X.

India and Ukraine also signed four memorandums of understanding (MoUs) under which both nations will work together in the food and agriculture and medicine sector. Both nation will also collaborate with each other in cultural forums and extend humanitarian assistance in times of crisis, as per the memorandums signed.

He also underscored the relevance of Mahatma Gandhi’s eternal message of peace in building a harmonious society, as he paid floral tribute to the statue of the freedom fighter in Kyiv’s ‘Oasis of Peace’ park.

The Prime Minister arrived on Friday to the Ukrainian capital after a nearly seven-hour journey and is set to engage in discussions with Zelensky in both one-on-one and delegation-level.

The visit comes at a time when Kyiv’s forces mount a major incursion into Russia’s Kursk region while Moscow’s army is advancing in eastern Ukraine, claiming to have seized a swathe of towns and villages in recent weeks.

The prime minister arrived in Kyiv from Poland onboard a ‘Rail Force One’ train that took around 10 hours, in the second and final leg of his two-nation trip.

This visit comes nearly six weeks after his high-profile trip to Moscow during which he held extensive talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin largely with a focus on ending the conflict.

(With inputs from agencies)