Narendra Modi on Monday spoke with President Joe Biden about the war in Ukraine following the Indian prime minister’s conciliatory visit to Kyiv and his earlier public embrace of Russian President Vladimir Putin.

The White House, in an account of the call, said Biden “commended” Modi for his visits to both Ukraine and Poland, “and for his message of peace and ongoing humanitarian support for Ukraine, including its energy sector.”

“The leaders affirmed their continued support for a peaceful resolution of the conflict in accordance with international law, on the basis of the U.N. Charter,” the White House said.

Earlier, White House spokesman John Kirby said the U.S. welcomes “any nation that is willing to be helpful.”

In a post on X, Modi said “we had a detailed exchange of views on various regional and global issues, including the situation in Ukraine,” without providing additional details.

Modi, whose country has historic ties to Russia and has for decades relied on Moscow for weapons, indicated his support for Ukraine’s sovereignty during his first visit to the war-torn nation since Russia invaded more than two years ago.

His trip to Kyiv last week has been seen as an attempt to balance India’s relations with the U.S. and Russia, roughly a month after his July visit to Moscow angered American officials. Modi literally hugged Putin shortly after Russia was blamed for an attack on the main children’s hospital in Kyiv, which killed at least 38 people, and as Biden hosted NATO leaders in Washington.

India, which has ruled out a role mediating an end to Russia’s war, has agreed to relay messages between Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Bloomberg News has reported.

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(With assistance from Akayla Gardner.)

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