MOSCOW: Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday said it is difficult to specify a timeline for ending the war in Ukraine but asserted that his country will win, as he appreciated Prime Minister Narendra Modi's concern over the situation.
At a media interaction here, the Russian leader said his country was for negotiations but accused Ukraine of trashing efforts made earlier.
Asked by PTI whether he saw a role for India in negotiating peace between Russia and Ukraine, he referred to the concern expressed by Modi, whom he described as a "friend."
He said Russia was "grateful" for this.
Modi will visit Russia on October 22-23 to attend the 16th BRICS Summit in Kazan.
Putin said setting a timeline on ending the war will be difficult and counterproductive.
He blamed the US and NATO for pushing Russia into the war, and said his country will prevail.
He said the Ukraine army, on its own cannot handle precision weapon delivery systems on its own.
"It is all done by NATO professionals. But you know what the difference is? NATO is waging a war against us," he said.
He said the Russian army has become one of the most combat effective and high-tech armies in the world, and NATO will get tired of "waging this war against us."
"We will have the upper hand. We'll win. We'll prevail," he said through an interpreter to the select group of foreign journalists.
The Russian leader expressed willingness to negotiate peace and accused Ukraine of backing out from earlier efforts.
In his remarks a few weeks earlier, Putin had identified India, China and Brazil as the countries with which Russia was in touch to on the issue.
Putin expressed concern over the situation in Gaza, and said Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has been invited to the BRICS events.
Putin also accused the United States of trying to stem development in China.
"It's like telling the sun not to rise," he said.
Putin said the doors of BRICS were not closed to new members, and as the grouping develops even the non-member countries will benefit economically.
The Russian leader said what set this group apart from others is that BRICS was never meant to be against anyone.
"The Indian prime minister put it aptly. Of late, he has said that s is not an anti-Western group, it's just a non-Western group," he said.
Answering another question, he said India movies were very popular in Russia.
He also mentioned the country's pharmaceutical and automotive industries, and referred to 'decisions' by India to 'protect its own.'
"But we are positive that if the Indian friends have this interest, we will find some common ground to promote Indian films to the Russian market," he added.