'Huge blow to peace efforts'; Ukrainian President lashes out at Modi for hugging Putin

KYIV: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has sharply criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Russia and his action of hugging Russian President Vladimir Putin. In a post on social media platform X, Zelenskyy said that Modi's visit to Russia is a huge blow to peace efforts.

"In Ukraine today, 37 people were killed, three of whom were children, and 170 were injured, including 13 children, as a result of Russia's brutal missile strike. A Russian missile struck the largest children's hospital in Ukraine, targeting young cancer patients. Many were buried under the rubble. It is a huge disappointment and a devastating blow to peace efforts to see the leader of the world's largest democracy hug the world's most bloody criminal in Moscow on such a day" Zelenskyy said.

The Moscow visit of PM Narendra Modi marks his first visit to Russia since the conflict between Russia and Ukraine started in 2022.

Meanwhile, Zelenskyy on Monday vowed strong retaliation against Russia after a Russian missile strike killed around 37 people and damaged a children's hospital in Kyiv.