New Delhi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday spoke with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy amid the ongoing conflict with Russia and sought continued support from his government for the evacuation of Indian nationals from Sumy.

Modi also appreciated the continuing direct dialogue between Ukraine and Russia, Government of India sources informed. In a phone call that lasted for about 35 minutes, PM Modi thanked President Zelensky for the help extended by the Government of Ukraine in the evacuation of Indian nationals from Ukraine.

According to sources, the two leaders discussed the evolving situation in Ukraine.

"PM Modi appreciated the continuing direct dialogue between Russia and Ukraine," sources said.

Modi will also be speaking to Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday.

The Prime Minister has spoken to both the leaders twice since hostilities broke out on February 24.

On February 26, PM Modi spoke to Ukrainian President Zelenskyy in which the latter briefed the Prime Minister in detail about the conflict. situation. After India abstained during a vote in the United Nations Security council, Zelensky spoke to PM Modi and sought India's political support at the UNSC.

Modi had spoken to the Russian President on February 24 night and then on March 2. In his last call, PM Modi reviewed the situation in Ukraine, especially in Kharkiv, and both the leaders had also discussed the safe evacuation of the Indian nationals from the conflict areas, according to the Prime Minister's office.

The Indian government had arranged evacuation flights from countries neighbouring Ukraine to bring back Indian students under an exercise named Operation Ganga.

On Sunday the Indian government said that since February 22, it has so far evacuated nearly 16,000 Indian students from Ukraine through flights from Ukraine's neighbouring countries.