Ukraine seeks Pakistan’s support over conflict with Russia

President Zelenskyy calls Pakistani counterpart, asks for support on draft resolution tabled in UNGA

ISLAMABAD:

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Wednesday telephoned President Dr Arif Alvi and referring to his ten-point peace formula, sought Pakistan’s support on the draft resolution being tabled in the United Nations General Assembly for ending the Ukraine-Russia conflict.

During the conversation, the president conveyed that Pakistan remained deeply concerned over the conflict in Ukraine. He said that Pakistan supported a peaceful solution to the conflict in accordance with the UN Charter.

Dr Alvi said that the contents of the draft resolution were being evaluated by the government of Pakistan.

Read more: Pakistan emphasises early resolution of Russia-Ukraine conflict through diplomacy

The two leaders discussed Pakistan-Ukraine political and economic ties, including energy and food security issues facing the developing world in the wake of the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict.

Both sides emphasised the need for enhancing economic and trade relations for the mutual benefit of the two countries.

President Zelenskyy also extended an invitation to the president to visit Ukraine.

Pakistan has maintained a delicate balance since Russia invaded Ukraine a year ago. Despite pressure from the US and its western allies, Islamabad has not publicly denounced Russia, though it does raise concerns over the humanitarian situation in Ukraine.

Islamabad also twice abstained from voting on a resolution at the UN General Assembly session against Russia.

Earlier this month, Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari once again emphasised for the early resolution of the Russia-Ukraine conflict through dialogue and diplomacy.

He made the remarks during a meeting with his Ukrainian counterpart Dmytro Kuleba on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference in Germany and further conveyed his concerns over the conflict.

FM Bilawal took to Twitter to share details of the meeting and said the two leaders “had an in-depth exchange of views on a range of issues and resolved to further enhance bilateral cooperation for benefit of their peoples”.

Pleased to meet my 🇺🇦 counterpart @DmytroKuleba. We had in-depth exchange on a range of issues & resolved to further enhance bilat. coop. for benefit of our ppl. I also conveyed our concern over 🇺🇦 🇷🇺 conflict & emph.its early resolution through dialogue & diplomacy. #MSC2023 pic.twitter.com/9IDFvyEWOS

— BilawalBhuttoZardari (@BBhuttoZardari) February 18, 2023