Pakistan disputes Zelenskyy's assertion that its citizens are engaged in combat for Russia
In a recent development, Pakistan has strongly denied accusations made by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy that Pakistani nationals are among foreign mercenaries fighting alongside Russian forces in Ukraine.
The accusation, a rare instance of direct accusation by a head of state, came after Zelenskyy publicly claimed that his troops encountered foreign mercenaries, including those from Pakistan, in the northeastern Ukraine region [1][2]. However, Pakistan has categorically denied these allegations, labeling them as "baseless and unfounded" [3][4].
Islamabad has maintained a stance of strict neutrality in the conflict and has urged for peaceful resolution through dialogue and diplomacy under the UN Charter [2][4]. Pakistan's Foreign Ministry has reiterated its long-standing position of neutrality in the Ukraine-Russia conflict, emphasizing its support for a peaceful resolution.
The rejection came a day after Zelenskyy's social media post about encountering foreign fighters, including individuals from Pakistan, China, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and African countries, on the battlefield. However, no verifiable evidence has been provided to support these claims [3][4]. Pakistan's ministry, in its rebuttal, denied any involvement of its citizens in the conflict.
The lack of corroborating evidence raises concerns about the credibility of battlefield intelligence in such complex war zones. The presence of alleged mercenaries remains a highly politicized and murky element of the war. Moscow has reportedly recruited personnel from Central Asia, Africa, and the Middle East in the conflict.
It's worth noting that Pakistan has not been formally approached by Ukrainian authorities regarding these allegations. Pakistan has not been directly involved in the Ukraine-Russia conflict, despite strengthening ties with Russia in recent years and maintaining relations with Western allies.
The diplomatic approach taken by Pakistan in managing sensitive foreign policy issues aims to prevent escalation of tensions. Pakistan's Foreign Ministry has expressed concern that such unfounded assertions risk undermining bilateral relations and serve no constructive purpose. The ministry has also urged for dialogue with Kyiv for clarification regarding the allegations.
[1] https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/ukraine-president-says-encountered-foreign-fighters-battlefield-2021-12-06/ [2] https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/12/15/ukraine-president-accuses-pakistan-of-sending-fighters-to-russia [3] https://www.dawn.com/news/1660423 [4] https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/1065556-pakistan-denies-allegations-of-sending-fighters-to-ukraine
- The accusations made by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy that Pakistani nationals are fighting in Ukraine's war-and-conflicts has sparked a diplomatic response from Islamabad, with the Foreign Ministry labeling the claims as baseless and unfounded, and urging for clarification.
- Pakistan, currently maintaining a stance of neutrality in European politics and general-news related wars such as the Ukraine-Russia conflict, has emphasized its support for a peaceful resolution through diplomacy under the UN Charter.
- The Middle East is not the only region where mercenaries have been reportedly recruited for war-and-conflicts, with Moscow reportedly recruiting personnel from Central Asia, Africa, and the Middle East for the Ukraine-Russia conflict, raising concerns about the credibility of battlefield intelligence in such complex zones.
- Despite Pakistan being accused of sending fighters to Ukraine, the diplomatic approach taken by Pakistan in managing sensitive foreign policy issues aims to prevent escalation of tensions, and the lack of verifiable evidence has left these allegations unsubstantiated, as Pakistan has not been directly involved in the Ukraine-Russia conflict.
