After Donald Trump became the 47th US president, and Israel and Hamas entered into a ceasefire agreement, attention is now turning to Europe, where the Russia-Ukraine war is approaching its third anniversary without any formal negotiations to end the conflict. Ending the war was a key promise in Trump's presidential campaign. Now, Ukraine is looking to India and other nations to help facilitate a negotiated conclusion to the war.

Andriy Yermak, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s close associate and the Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, has stated in an interview with Indian journalists that India, with its significant global influence, can "play a big role" in resolving the ongoing military conflict. However, he emphasised that much of the outcome will depend on the approach of the newly sworn-in Trump administration.

Yermak expressed, “We are looking very positively at the role of the United States and President Trump in ending this war. We are looking at starting consultations with the new US administration.” “We will not lose time and immediately start working towards it (after Trump’s inauguration),” he added.

Ukraine is pushing for an early start to negotiations with the newly sworn-in Donald Trump administration in the U.S., hoping such talks could bring peace to the country and the wider European region. Kyiv also emphasised that India has the potential to play a significant role in facilitating lasting peace in the war-torn nation.

Ukraine remains hopeful as Russia and Ukraine approach the three-year mark of the conflict on February 24. During a campaign rally in June last year, Trump had stated, "Before I even arrive at the Oval Office, shortly after we win the presidency, I will have the horrible war between Russia and Ukraine settled."

While this 24-hour promise to resolve the war was never seen as a realistic expectation, it nonetheless raised hopes for quicker negotiations and a potential end to the conflict. Ukraine hopes that influential non-Western countries like India and South Africa will be crucial in resolving the ongoing conflict. Yermak, an official from Ukraine, emphasised the importance of global powers.

“India is one of the biggest democracies in the world, and not just regional, but a world leader, and its position can play a big role. During the last two years, we have held a lot of meetings on the platform of the peace formula, which was mooted in Switzerland,” he stated.

“I am waiting to continue dialogue with my Indian colleague Ajit Doval (national security advisor) with whom we have worked all this period of time,” Yermak added.

“The global goal is to end this war; I am sure the position of India that this war has to end is extremely important, not just by some temporary ceasefire but by bringing peace,” he expressed.

In a virtual session with Yermak, UK-based International Human Rights Lawyer and Labour member of the House of Lords, Baroness Helena Kennedy, spoke about the dire humanitarian crisis affecting children in war-torn regions. She specifically highlighted the plight of Ukrainian children who have been forcibly displaced or deported from their homes.

Kennedy brought attention to the alarming issue of Ukrainian children reportedly abducted by Russian forces, with estimates ranging from 10,000 to 19,000 children taken under the guise of safety. She also emphasised the severe psychological consequences for these children, who are losing their sense of identity and memory.

Both Yermak and Kennedy expressed hope that India could help bring these Ukrainian children back home, citing the successful evacuation of Indian medical students from Ukraine at the onset of the war as an example of India's potential to intervene.

“Of course, President Zelenskyy discussed this issue with Prime Minister Modi during his visit to Kyiv (in August 2024) and he said India is ready to participate and be involved in this process to help bring back Ukrainian children. India has a really big influence on Russia; they can have this opportunity to help. We count on India’s participation,” Yermak stated.