Ukraine confirms India playing big role in mediating energy truce in Black Sea

File photo: Prime Minister Narendra Modi during a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy (Picture credit: PTI)NEW DELHI: India's role in efforts to find a negotiated end to the Russia-Ukraine war has gained greater prominence, with Kyiv describing an Indian proposal as the most comprehensive among four initiatives currently under discussion and saying New Delhi has, for the first time, indicated its willingness to play an active mediating role.Ukrainian foreign minister Andrii Sybiha recently said Ukraine was prepared to consider both an energy and agricultural truce in the Black Sea, while also remaining open to an unconditional ceasefire along the line of contact."We have four proposals. The most comprehensive is India's proposal. For the first time, India has signalled its willingness to play a role," Sybiha said during a press briefing, according to RBC Ukraine.India proposal among four initiativesAccording to Sybiha, four proposals are currently being considered in diplomatic efforts surrounding the war.India's proposal was described by the Ukrainian foreign minister as the most comprehensive.Türkiye and Egypt have separately proposed a grain and agricultural truce in the Black Sea, while the United States has put forward an energy truce proposal.The agricultural and maritime component is particularly important for Egypt, which relies on Ukrainian grain for roughly a third of its supply, according to RBC Ukraine.The US proposal on an energy truce was also discussed during a meeting between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and US President Donald Trump.Kyiv has conveyed its own approach to its partners and wants the energy and Black Sea components to be treated as an interconnected package.Sybiha said the energy component would require a complete halt to attacks on energy infrastructure, including port facilities.Ukraine has also expressed readiness for an unconditional ceasefire along the line of contact. Sybiha said such a ceasefire could potentially emerge from a meeting between Zelenskyy and Russian President Vladimir Putin.The US is currently working actively on this diplomatic track, according to the Ukrainian foreign minister.Kyiv backs safe Black Sea shippingThe latest Ukrainian position builds on India's earlier engagement with Kyiv over restoring safe navigation in the Black Sea.During last month's UN General Assembly-related engagements, Zelenskyy said Egypt, India and Türkiye had put forward options for a maritime truce between Russia and Ukraine."We are waiting for Russia's response. Ukraine is ready ... to ensure safe shipping and food security in the Black Sea if Russia is ready to take real steps towards de-escalation too. We have to start somewhere," Zelenskyy said at the time.Also read: India's proposal under consideration for safe Black Sea shipping, Zelenskyy saysIndia has been engaging with both Moscow and Kyiv while advocating dialogue and diplomacy.External affairs minister S Jaishankar had said India was in continuous contact with both sides and was exploring ideas that could help mitigate and eventually end the conflict."If India can be of any help, in any manner, we are there," Jaishankar said during his visit to Kyiv last month.During that visit, Jaishankar met Zelenskyy and Sybiha, with discussions covering peace efforts, bilateral cooperation, Black Sea navigation and global food security.Sybiha had also said Ukraine valued India's engagement in efforts to restore freedom of navigation in the Black Sea."Restoring freedom of navigation is critical for global food security. Ukraine is ready to play a constructive role and we value India’s engagement," he said in a post on X.Russia's position remains key to next stepsWhile Ukraine has indicated its readiness to consider multiple limited ceasefire arrangements, Russia's response remains central to whether the proposals can move forward.Sybiha's comments come amid differing assessments in Europe over Moscow's willingness to enter substantive peace negotiations.German Chancellor Friedrich Merz recently said Russia was not currently interested in genuine peace negotiations, while German foreign minister Johann Wadephul has expressed expectations that talks to end the war could begin in the near future.The Kremlin had previously said there were no prerequisites for moving towards a broader peace negotiating track while maintaining that Russia remained open to talks."For now, there are no prerequisites for moving on to a peaceful negotiating track, although we, as the Russian side, remain open to peace talks," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.Ukraine's latest position therefore places several limited ceasefire proposals, covering energy infrastructure, Black Sea shipping and agricultural supplies, alongside the possibility of a broader unconditional ceasefire along the line of contact.India's proposal is being considered alongside those initiatives, with Sybiha describing it as the most comprehensive and saying New Delhi has now signalled its readiness to play a role in the process.