Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, following a telephone conversation with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, stated that New Delhi is ready to act as a mediator in establishing food corridors in the Black Sea. According to the head of state, the parties discussed Russia's blocking of Ukrainian grain exports and agreed that the working teams of the two countries will remain in contact on this and other bilateral issues. The statement came against the background of Ukraine's preparations for negotiations in Abu Dhabi, which gives the conversation with India additional diplomatic weight.
Connection to the Abu Dhabi Negotiation Track
During the conversation, Zelenskyy briefed Modi on the diplomatic situation and Ukraine's preparations for negotiations in Abu Dhabi, emphasizing that Kyiv is actively working through all agenda items. «Ukraine always has a constructive approach, and Russia needs to show the same readiness to de-escalate,» the president stated. Thus, the issue of the grain corridor was included in the broader context of de-escalation efforts rather than discussed in isolation.
India's Role as Mediator and Food Security
The leaders paid special attention to food security. Zelenskyy noted that Modi has repeatedly told the Russian leadership about the need to end the war against Ukraine and expressed hope that India will find steps and dialogue with other leaders to bring its end closer. According to Kyiv's assessment, food security could become one of these areas: «We discussed how Russia is blocking grain exports in the Black Sea. India is ready to mediate in establishing food corridors, and we count on continued efforts in this direction,» the president reported.
Blocking of Maritime Routes and Its Consequences
Zelenskyy stressed that Russia must understand: blocked maritime routes harm not only the Russian economy, but also hundreds of millions of people in various countries. According to him, the maritime export of Ukrainian grain stopped back in August, which increases the urgency of the issue for the global food market. Kyiv insists that unblocking navigation must become part of any de-escalation efforts.
Broader Diplomatic Context: Turkey, Egypt, and the US Position
India's initiative is not isolated. Earlier, according to RBC-Ukraine, Turkey and India expressed ideas about establishing the movement of grain cargo through the Black Sea — as stated by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. In addition, Ukraine is negotiating with Turkey, Egypt, and India on the restoration of civilian navigation in the Black Sea; these countries have offered safe passage for vessels flying their flags. Modi, for his part, previously promised to support efforts for peace in Ukraine, which confirms the consistency of India's position.
What's Next
Ukraine and India agreed that working teams will remain in touch on food corridor issues and other bilateral topics. For Kyiv, this means that the grain track receives an additional diplomatic channel, and for New Delhi, an opportunity to play a mediating role in one of the most sensitive economic aspects of the conflict. The final result will depend on Russia's readiness to de-escalate, which, according to Zelenskyy, Ukraine is already demonstrating with its constructive approach.
