Archive · 7 Oct 2026
Franke urges India to help end Ukraine war through diplomacy
Benedikt Franke leads the Munich Security Conference.
He says India has started doing more to help end the war between Russia and Ukraine.
India has close ties with Russia, and Franke thinks those ties could help encourage peace talks.
He says any peace deal should not reward Russia for attacking Ukraine.
Franke also says countries should work together instead of treating conflicts as someone else’s problem.
He thinks Europe, the United States and Asian countries all have a role to play.
He praised people who try to make peace, while questioning whether business deals with Russia are helpful before the fighting ends.
He also warned that when leaders ignore people’s worries, extreme political groups can gain support.
Munich Security Conference CEO Benedikt Franke praised India for proposing steps to end the Russia-Ukraine war and urged it to use its ties with Moscow.
Franke said India’s diplomatic engagement could help bring the war to an end, while warning that any settlement should not reward Russia’s aggression or punish Ukraine.
He said India’s continued Russian energy purchases are understandable, but argued that its close relationship with Moscow could also be used to press for peace.
Franke praised efforts to pursue negotiations, including those by US President Donald Trump, but questioned whether business interests linked to Russian resources would help.
He called for stronger cooperation among Europe, the United States and Asian countries on conflicts, and said unresolved public concerns can strengthen political extremes.
- Who
- Benedikt Franke, Vice-Chairman and CEO of the Munich Security Conference, discussed India’s role in efforts to end the Russia-Ukraine war.
- What
- Franke urged India to use its diplomatic influence and relationship with Russia to support efforts to end the war.
- When
- In an interview during Franke’s visit to Delhi for the Munich leaders’ meeting; no date is specified.
- Where
- Delhi, India.
- Why
- Franke said the war is costly and destabilizing, and argued that India’s ties with Russia could help support a diplomatic resolution.
Franke’s arguments
Alternative considerations in the interview
India’s diplomatic role
Franke’s arguments
Franke said India should use its special relationship with Russia and its diplomatic influence to help end the war.
Alternative considerations in the interview
The interview notes that India has argued it acts in its own interests, and Franke acknowledged that multi-alignment can be a way for countries to maintain relationships with different powers.
Russian energy purchases
Franke’s arguments
Franke said buying Russian oil and gas was acceptable, but argued India could apply pressure on Moscow through its relationship with Russia.
Alternative considerations in the interview
India’s position, as described in the interview, is that its Russian energy purchases reflect its own interests.
Peace efforts and business
Franke’s arguments
Franke praised attempts to pursue peace and said agreements on business with Russia could send the wrong signal before aggression ends and Ukraine’s sovereign territory is restored.
Alternative considerations in the interview
He also said it is acceptable for the United States to do business with Russia at some point and expressed hope that Europe and India could do more business with Russia in the future.
- Interviewee
- Benedikt Franke, Vice-Chairman and CEO of the Munich Security Conference
- Interview setting
- Franke was in Delhi for the Munich leaders’ meeting
- Main subject
- India’s diplomatic role in efforts to end the Russia-Ukraine war
- Franke’s assessment of India
- He said India had long voiced support for dialogue but had not always put its full weight behind those statements
- Russian energy
- Franke said buying Russian oil and gas was acceptable, while urging India to use its relationship with Russia to encourage an end to the war
- Proposed approach
- Franke called for stronger European, American and Asian roles in diplomatic efforts
- Political concerns
- He said unanswered concerns about security, jobs, prosperity, crime, migration and culture can empower political extremes