European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen spoke with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday as part of Europe’s ongoing diplomatic effort to end the Ukraine conflict. During the conversation, she praised India’s role in urging peace and pressing Russia to stop the war.

EU Welcomes India’s Involvement

After the discussion, von der Leyen posted on X. She said Brussels “warmly welcomes” India’s continued talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Moreover, she warned that the war threatens both global security and economic stability. She called it a “risk to the entire world.”

Furthermore, von der Leyen acknowledged India’s balanced approach in dealing with both Russia and Ukraine. According to her, India’s efforts play a crucial role in promoting peace.

Focus on Future Ties

In addition, von der Leyen said the EU and India aim to adopt a joint strategic agenda at their next summit, scheduled for 2026. She stressed that this agenda would guide future cooperation in multiple sectors.

At the same time, she urged quick progress on the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations. “To achieve this, progress is needed now,” she said. The EU hopes to finalize the deal by the end of this year.

India’s Expanding Role

Consequently, the conversation highlights India’s growing influence in global diplomacy. India continues to maintain dialogue with both Moscow and Kyiv. As a result, the EU believes India can help bring the war closer to a peaceful resolution.