PM Modi, Vladimir Putin Discuss Ukraine, Wagner Mutiny Over Call

Russian President Vladimir Putin discussed the situation around Ukraine and how Kremlin resolved an armed mercenary mutiny in a telephone call with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday, Moscow said.

In connection with the events of June 24 in Russia, PM Modi expressed understanding and support for the decisive actions of the Russian leadership to protect law and order, ensure stability in the country and the security of its citizens, a statement from Kremlin said.

While discussing the situation in Ukraine, PM Modi reiterated his call for dialogue and diplomacy, a press release from the PMO stated.

Both leaders agreed to remain in touch and continue to make efforts to further strengthen Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership between the two countries.

India has not yet condemned the Russian invasion of Ukraine and it has been maintaining that the crisis must be resolved through diplomacy and dialogue. The two leaders also discussed their countries' cooperation within the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) and the G20.

"Special attention was focused on cooperation within the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation and the G20, where India holds the presidency, as well as within the BRICS format," the statement said.

Last week, Yevgeny Prigozhin, the leader of the mercenary private military company the Wagner Group launched a brief rebellion against Putin which marked the most serious challenge to Russia in more than two decades of Putin's rule and triggered questions over his leadership.

He pulled back his troops after Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko's intervention.