New Delhi: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy slammed Prime Minister Narendra Modi for hugging Russian President Vladimir Putin, calling it a “disappointment and a devastating blow to peace efforts”. The Ukrainian leader linked Modi’s hug to a brutal strike on a children’s hospital in Kyiv.
The remarks come amid Modi’s visit to Russia — his first overseas bilateral visit in his third term as prime minister. Modi shared a hug with Putin Monday after arriving at the Russian President’s suburban residence, Novo-Ogaryovo, located outside of Moscow.
“It is a huge disappointment and a devastating blow to peace efforts to see the leader of the world’s largest democracy hug the world’s most bloody criminal in Moscow on such a day,” said the Ukrainian President in a post on X.
“In Ukraine today, 37 people were killed, three of whom were children, and 170 were injured, including 13 children, as a result of Russia’s brutal missile strike,” Zelenskyy wrote.
In Ukraine today, 37 people were killed, three of whom were children, and 170 were injured, including 13 children, as a result of Russia’s brutal missile strike.
A Russian missile struck the largest children's hospital in Ukraine, targeting young cancer patients. Many were… pic.twitter.com/V1k7PEz2rJ
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) July 8, 2024
Putin had hosted PM Modi for a private dinner at Novo-Ogaryovo, ahead of formal talks. The two were earlier seen sharing a cup of tea and taking a walk in a nearby park.
Russia, meanwhile, has denied attacking the hospital, saying that the damage was caused due to fragments of a Ukrainian air defence missile. Russia’s defence ministry maintained that it carried out strikes on defence industry targets and aviation bases in Ukraine.
Modi’s visit to Russia coincides with the 75th NATO Summit in Washington DC, where US President Joe Biden will attempt to shore up support for Ukraine in its war against Russia. Zelenskyy is also expected to attend the gathering. NATO leaders are expected to focus on firming up a long-term security aid and military training strategy for Kyiv for its war with Moscow.
Shortly after Modi’s arrival in Moscow, a Russian missile struck the largest children’s hospital in Ukraine, killing over 30 people. Kyiv claims four children have died in the assault. Other areas in Ukraine, such as Dnipro, Kryvyi Rih, Slovyansk and Kramatorsk, were also bombarded in the early hours of Tuesday. US President Biden also slammed the “Russian brutality”.
Reports indicate that 50 civilian buildings, including residential buildings, a business centre and two medical facilities were damaged by Russian military strikes.
Zelenskyy said that Ukraine would retaliate and called on Kyiv’s western allies to give a firm response to the attack.
The Ukrainian president has vowed to retaliate against Moscow’s actions. “We will retaliate against these people, we will deliver a powerful response from our side to Russia, for sure. The question to our partners is: can they respond?” said Zelenskyy, who is currently visiting Poland before attending the NATO Summit in the US.
(Edited by Mannat Chugh)
IK on the very day that Russia invaded Ukraine & Modi on this. Fate !! If the reference to children’s death included at the last minute before Modi made those remarks it could be very well linked to children of Ukraine & not Gaza