Awkward moment squirming Putin is told to ‘move from endless war to the end of war’ in meeting with India’s PM Modi
Vladimir Putin appeared visibly uncomfortable after Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged him to end the war in Ukraine during a bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. Modi told the Russian leader that "every day of war sets humanity back", prompting Putin to look away and remove his earpiece before offering a curt, gritted-teeth response. The exchange highlighted growing international pressure on Moscow even as Putin shows no real sign of pursuing peace, with Russia instead intensifying strikes on Ukraine, including attacks on food warehouses blamed for shortages.
Modi, 75, called on the 73-year-old Kremlin leader to move "from an endless war to the end of the war", framing peace as essential to humanity's wellbeing and invoking the legacy of Gandhi and Buddha. Putin's public defiance echoed recent remarks in which he accused Ukraine of opening a "Pandora's box" and insisted the "special military operation continues". The article notes mounting strain on Russia, with reported discontent among elites, casualties estimated at 1.4 million (including up to 450,000 deaths) since 2022, and monthly losses in 2026 now said to be outpacing new recruitment.
In short
- Modi publicly urged Putin to end the Ukraine war at SCO summit
- Putin looked uneasy, removed earpiece, gave curt reply
- Russia intensifying strikes despite mounting casualties and elite discontent
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Those urging Putin to end the war argue that continued fighting brings mounting human and economic costs while undermining Ukraine’s security and wider international stability. Modi’s appeal reflects the view that dialogue and a negotiated settlement offer a better path than an open-ended conflict, and that influential partners should press for peace.
The case against
Those defending Russia’s position argue that negotiations must address Moscow’s stated security concerns and the conflict’s underlying causes, rather than require Russia to stop fighting on terms set by its opponents. They may contend that continuing military pressure gives Russia leverage in any settlement and that a ceasefire without credible guarantees could leave the dispute unresolved or lead to renewed fighting.
Explained simply
Every day of war sets humanity back, Modi told Vladimir Putin, prompting the Russian leader to look away and remove his earpiece before offering a curt reply.
The exchange took place at a summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, a grouping of countries including Russia, China and India that meets to discuss regional security and economic cooperation. Narendra Modi, India's Prime Minister, has kept close ties with Moscow even as many Western countries have shunned it over the war in Ukraine, which began with Russia's invasion in 2022 and has continued despite various diplomatic efforts to end it. India has traditionally balanced its relationships with both Russia and Western powers, making its leader's public comments on the war notable.
The war has caused enormous casualties on both sides and shows no sign of ending, with Russia continuing to strike Ukrainian targets. Putin has consistently described the conflict as a "special military operation" and blamed Ukraine and its allies for prolonging it, while facing growing, if still limited, pressure from international partners to seek a resolution.
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