Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi had a telephone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday night to discuss the situation in Ukraine and reiterated his “long-standing conviction” that differences between Russia and NATO can only be solved through diplomatic means, reported ANI.

The Indian Prime Minister further appealed to Putin for an immediate cessation of violence in Ukraine, which has been rocked by hundreds of Russian strikes since Thursday morning.

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PM Modi also reportedly sensitised the Russian President about India’s concerns about the safety of its citizens in Ukraine, where thousands of Indians, mainly students live. The 71-year-old also informed Putin that India attaches the utmost priority to the safe exit and return of its citizens.

Finally, both leaders reportedly agreed to stay in diplomatic contact via their envoys on issues of “topical interest.”

The phone conversation between the two heads of state came hours after Russia moved its troops into Ukraine. While Putin called the move a “special military operation” to safeguard the peoples of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People’s Republic and Luhansk People’s Republic in the Donbas region of Ukraine, Ukrainian authorities claim that Russia has mounted a “full-scale” invasion.

Indeed, reports suggest that Russia has Ukraine surrounded on three sides, and that fighting had reached the outskirts of the capital city of Kyiv, where at least seven civilians have been killed in Russian missile strikes.

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With reports of attacks coming in from various parts of the eastern European country, Ukrainian envoy Igor Polikha expressed his “deep dissatisfaction” with India’s response to the situation earlier in the day, and urged PM Modi, who he described as “one of the most powerful, respected world leaders” to have a talk with Putin.

“India is a very influential global player… We are asking for a strong voice of India,” the envoy further said, urging a strong reaction from India.