New Delhi, June 6 -- As Russian aide Yury Ushakov endorsed United States President Donald Trump's claim of mediating between India and Pakistan, former diplomat and foreign affairs expert K P Fabian said on Friday that it was simply a diplomatic move by Russia amid friction regarding the Ukraine war.

The former diplomat said that the Russian president is "navigating waters with consummate skill," as the country has rejected Trump's demand for an unconditional ceasefire with Ukraine. He also voiced his belief that India could have acknowledged Trump's claim in a "gracious way" without diminishing India's victory with Operation Sindoor.

"My personal view, let me repeat it, India could have acknowledged it (Trump's mediation claims) in a g...