Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday expressed his willingness to negotiate peace with Ukraine, suggesting that India, China and Brazil could serve as potential mediators, according to reports.

The statement was made during the Eastern Economic Forum held in Vladivostok.

Putin, responding to a question regarding which countries he would trust for mediating peace talks with Ukraine, said, “First of all, the People’s Republic of China, Brazil and India. I am in contact with my partners… we have trust and confidence in one another.”

“If there is a desire on part of Ukraine to carry on with the negotiations, I can do that,” he said, according to Reuters.

The Russian president also mentioned that a preliminary agreement reached between Russian and Ukrainian negotiators in early weeks of the war in Istanbul could form the basis for future negotiations. “Although this agreement was never implemented, it may still offer a path forward,” he added.

The suggestion underscores Putin’s interest in involving key global players in efforts to resolve the conflict amid rising pressure.

The development comes months after his meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the latter’s visit to Russia. Furthermore, it also coincides with Modi’s recent visit to Ukraine, where he met Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

During this meeting, Modi emphasized that India’s stance on the Russia-Ukraine conflict is not neutral, and that New Delhi firmly supports peace efforts.

“We should move in that direction without losing any time,” he had stated.

Upon his return from Ukraine, Modi spoke with Putin, giving him his insights from the visit and reinforced India’s position on the conflict.

“Exchanged perspectives on the Russia-Ukraine conflict and my insights from the recent visit to Ukraine,” Modi posted on X, reiterating “India’s firm commitment to support an early, abiding, and peaceful resolution of the conflict.”

The prime minister also engaged in discussions with US President Joe Biden following his visit to Ukraine.

The leaders are believed to have discussed ways to find an early resolution to the nearly three-year-long conflict.

“Spoke to @POTUS @JoeBiden on phone today. We had a detailed exchange of views on various regional and global issues, including the situation in Ukraine. I reiterated India’s full support for the early return of peace and stability,” Modi has posted on ‘X’.

The suggestion from Putin underscores Russia’s interest in involving key global players in efforts to resolve the conflict amid rising pressure.

The fact that India maintains friendly relations with both the US and the Russia makes it a key player in resolving the Ukraine conflict.