Staff Report
ISLAMABAD:
Pakistan has firmly rejected allegations made by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who claimed that Pakistani nationals were involved as foreign mercenaries in the ongoing conflict in northeastern Ukraine.
In a statement issued by the Foreign Office (FO) on Tuesday, Pakistan categorically denied the accusation, calling it “baseless and unfounded.” The FO emphasized that no verifiable evidence has been presented by Ukraine, nor has the government been formally approached on the matter.
“To date, Pakistan has not been formally approached by the Ukrainian authorities, nor has any verifiable evidence been presented to substantiate such claims,” the FO stated.
The Foreign Office said it would be taking up the matter with Ukrainian authorities to seek clarification and reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to a peaceful resolution of the Russia-Ukraine conflict. “Pakistan reaffirms its commitment to the peaceful resolution of the Ukraine conflict through dialogue and diplomacy, in accordance with the principles of the UN Charter,” the statement added.
The controversy arose after President Zelensky posted on social media platform X (formerly Twitter) on Monday, claiming that Ukrainian forces battling in the northeastern region of Vovchansk were encountering foreign fighters, including individuals from Pakistan, China, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and African countries.
The post read: “Our warriors in this sector are reporting the participation of mercenaries from China, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Pakistan, and African countries in the war. We will respond.”
The Russian invasion of Ukraine began on February 24, 2022, and has since drawn international attention and involvement. While Pakistan initially adopted a neutral stance, it has consistently advocated for a ceasefire and de-escalation of hostilities as the conflict continues past its third year.
This is not the first time Pakistan has had to respond to similar accusations. In July 2023, during a visit to Islamabad, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba publicly dismissed earlier reports alleging Pakistan’s supply of arms to Ukraine, confirming that there was no deal for arms or ammunition between the two nations.
Pakistan has traditionally maintained cordial relations with Ukraine, having purchased weapons systems from Kyiv in the past. However, in recent years, Islamabad has also been strengthening diplomatic and economic ties with Russia.
The FO’s strong denial underscores Islamabad’s effort to maintain a balanced foreign policy, especially as tensions between Russia and Ukraine continue to impact global geopolitics.
