US Senator Lindsey Graham on Friday said India can improve ties with the US by helping President Donald Trump to end the ongoing clash between Russia and Ukraine.

He expressed hope that Indian PM Narendra Modi will use his nation's influence on Russia to help the US end the conflict with Ukraine.

He wrote on X: "As I have been telling my friends in India, one of the most consequential things they could do to improve India-U.S. relations is to help President Trump end this bloodbath in Ukraine."

The Senator further said: "India is the second largest purchaser of Putin’s cheap oil — the proceeds of which fuel his war machine."

He further said: "I hope Prime Minister Modi emphasized to Putin in their recent phone call the need to end this war in Ukraine justly, honorably and forever. I have always believed India has influence in this matter and I am hoping they will use it wisely."

The US Senator made the remarks on a day when Indian PM Narendra Modi said he interacted with Russian President Vladimir Putin when they reviewed the progress of the bilateral agenda between the two nations.

Calling Putin a 'friend', Modi wrote on X: "Had a very good and detailed conversation with my friend President Putin. I thanked him for sharing the latest developments on Ukraine. We also reviewed the progress in our bilateral agenda, and reaffirmed our commitment to further deepen the India-Russia Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership. I look forward to hosting President Putin in India later this year.

India hails planned Trump–Putin Alaska summit, expresses hope for Ukraine peace

India on Saturday welcomed the forthcoming meeting between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, scheduled for August 15 in Alaska, expressing optimism that it could pave the way to ending the conflict in Ukraine.

"India welcomes the understanding reached between the United States and the Russian Federation for a meeting in Alaska on 15th August 2025," the Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement.

"This meeting holds the promise of bringing to an end the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and opening up the prospects for peace. As Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said on several occasions, this is not an era of war."

Trump announced on Truth Social that the "highly anticipated meeting" with Putin will take place next Friday in the "Great State of Alaska", with more details to follow.

This will be Putin’s first trip to the United States since 2015, when he met then-President Barack Obama.

It will also be the first US–Russia summit since 2021, when former President Joe Biden met Putin in Geneva.