German Ambassador Philipp Ackermann says Modi's peace remark resonates in Europe, not Russia

German Ambassador to India Philipp Ackermann said Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s 2022 statement that “today’s era is not of war” continues to resonate strongly across Europe, but has failed to influence Moscow’s stance on the war in Ukraine. He noted, “It resonates in Europe a lot. It doesn’t resonate in Russia, I’m afraid,” and expressed pessimism about any imminent ceasefire or peace negotiations, saying Russia has shown no movement toward a settlement.

Ackermann said Ukraine remains ready for talks, with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy having made several proposals to meet President Vladimir Putin, proposals that Moscow has repeatedly rejected. The German envoy sees little hope of a negotiated resolution at present.

Modi originally made the remark during a bilateral meeting with Putin on 16 September 2022 at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in Samarkand, Uzbekistan.