Diplomatic efforts are the best way to end the Ukraine conflict, the Indian prime minister has said

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed deep concern after Russia reported an attempted Ukrainian drone attack on President Vladimir Putin's state residence.

Kiev launched 91 long-range strike drones in an attack on Putin's residence in Novgorod Region on the night of December 28-29, according to Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. All the UAVs were intercepted and there were no casualties or material damage involved, he added.

"Deeply concerned by reports of the targeting of the residence of the President of the Russian Federation," Modi posted on X on Tuesday in English and Russian. "Ongoing diplomatic efforts offer the most viable path toward ending hostilities and achieving peace."

Earlier on Tuesday, the Chinese Foreign Ministry called on both sides to "avoid further escalation" after the attack, while Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the "reported targeting" of Putin's residence.

"Pakistan expresses its solidarity with the President of the Russian Federation, and with the government and people of Russia," Sharif said on X.

Kremlin foreign policy aide Yury Ushakov told Russian media that during a phone conversation with Putin on Monday, US President Donald Trump said he was "shocked by this news and expressed outrage, stating that he could not have imagined such crazy actions on the part of Kiev."

Ukraine's Vladimir Zelensky has denied the attack, claiming Moscow is only seeking a pretext to jeopardize the "progress" made by the US and Ukraine on peace talks and to attack the government quarter in Kiev.

In his post on X, Modi pressed for the US-mediated peace process to continue.

"We urge all concerned to remain focused on these efforts and to avoid any actions that could undermine them," he said.

India has consistently called for a diplomatic solution to the Ukraine conflict, while refusing to join Western sanctions on Russia. Modi visited both Moscow and Kiev in 2024.

(RT.com)