Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi was set to meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv on Friday, a historic visit in which he is expected to push a settlement to end the war with Russia.

Modi is casting himself as a possible peacemaker, two and a half years after Russia invaded and weeks into a major Ukrainian counter-offensive into Russian territory.

"No problem can be resolved on a battlefield," Modi said ahead of his visit, adding that India supports "dialogue and diplomacy for restoration of peace and stability as soon as possible".

He is the first Indian premier to visit Ukraine.

A diplomatic breakthrough between Moscow and Kyiv looks more elusive than ever following Ukraine's shock offensive into Russia's western Kursk region.

It is also unclear whether Modi himself could be an effective dealmaker, seen by many in Ukraine as too close to Russian President Vladimir Putin.

He recently drew fresh condemnation in Kyiv for hugging the Russian leader during a visit to Moscow in July.

Modi said he planned to "share perspectives on peaceful resolution of the ongoing Ukraine conflict" with Zelenskyy, as well as discuss "deepening the India-Ukraine friendship".

He was in Poland on Thursday before departing for Ukraine.

"As a friend and partner, we hope for an early return of peace and stability in the region," Modi said on social media ahead of the visit.

Zelenskyy has said that "a number of documents are also expected to be signed" during the meeting with Modi.