Putin Told Modi Russia Is "Moving Along the Path" to Ending the War: Kyiv Calls the Statements Cynical Lies

During a phone call with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Vladimir Putin stated that Russia is "moving along the path" of settling the so-called "Ukrainian conflict." This was reported by RBC-Ukraine, citing Interfax agency data. The remark came in response to Modi's call to resolve all issues through peaceful means. "Thank you, respected Prime Minister. We are indeed moving along this path," the Russian leader said, which, according to Kyiv's assessment, constitutes a cynical denial of the ongoing military aggression against Ukraine.

Context of the Call: New Delhi's Appeal and Expectations from BRICS

Before Putin made his remark, Modi had directly urged the Russian leader toward a peaceful settlement, stating that the world must finally move away from an "endless war" toward its cessation. The Indian Prime Minister also expressed expectations from Putin's upcoming visit to the September BRICS summit, which will take place in New Delhi on September 12–13, 2026. Thus, the Indian side attempted to use the diplomatic channel to pin down the Russian position, however the response received contained no specific commitments, deadlines, or conditions for ending hostilities.

Kyiv's Position: Absence of Intent and Diplomatic Shifts

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy earlier in the same news cycle stated that Putin "shows no intention of ending the war against Ukraine." At the same time, the head of the Ukrainian state acknowledged that important achievements in the peace process are possible on the diplomatic front. This dual assessment underscores the gap between the Russian leader's rhetorical statements and the actual dynamics at the front, where, according to Kyiv, military operations continue without signs of de-escalation.

Peskov on a "Trilateral Summit": Meaningless Without a Document

Russian presidential press secretary Dmitry Peskov commented on the possibility of holding a summit involving Vladimir Putin, U.S. President Donald Trump, and Volodymyr Zelenskyy. According to him, such a meeting "makes no sense without prior preparation of a final document." This position effectively shifts responsibility for launching the negotiation process onto other parties and simultaneously confirms that Moscow is not taking any initiative to draft the text of an agreement.

Contradictory Data

There is a direct discrepancy between the statements of the parties. On the one hand, Putin in his conversation with Modi claims that Russia is "moving along the path" of ending the conflict, implying the existence of some agreed-upon vector. On the other hand, Zelenskyy openly states that Moscow has no intention of stopping the war, while Peskov sets a condition in the form of a "final document" that, in essence, does not yet exist. Thus, the Russian side simultaneously declares movement toward peace while presenting not a single concrete step — no ceasefire, no prisoner exchange, no text of an agreement. The Indian side, acting as a mediator, records only verbal consent that is not backed by actions.

Against the backdrop of preparations for the BRICS summit in New Delhi on September 12–13, 2026, Putin's statements take on the character of pre-election (in a broader sense — pre-session) rhetoric: they are aimed at creating an impression of diplomatic activity without real concessions. For the Ukrainian side and its allies, the key question remains: what specific, verifiable steps is Moscow ready to take before, during, or after the summit so that the words about the "path to peace" cease to be merely a rhetorical construct.