FO rubbishes Zelenskyy's mercenary claims

Pakistan has rejected the "baseless and unfounded" claim of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy that Pakistani nationals were fighting as mercenaries in the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia.

In a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Tuesday, the Pakistani government said it had not been approached formally by Ukrainian authorities, nor had it received any verifiable evidence to support such allegations.

"The Government of Pakistan categorically rejects the baseless and unfounded allegations of the involvement of Pakistani nationals in the conflict in Ukraine," the statement read. "Government of Pakistan shall take up this matter with the Ukrainian authorities and seek clarification in this regard."

Pakistan reiterated its support for a peaceful resolution of the conflict through dialogue and diplomacy in accordance with the principles of the United Nations Charter.

The response came hours after President Zelenskyy, during a visit to frontline positions in Ukraine's northeastern Kharkiv region, claimed that foreign fighters from several countries, including Pakistan, had joined Russian forces in the ongoing war.

"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," Zelenskyy posted on X.

Zelenskyy had previously accused Moscow of recruiting Chinese fighters, an allegation Beijing denied. Kyiv has also alleged that North Korea deployed thousands of troops in support of Russian forces in the Kursk region.

Despite repeated allegations of foreign mercenary involvement, independent verification of such claims has been limited. Pakistan has consistently maintained a policy of neutrality in the Ukraine conflict.

Since the Russia-Ukraine conflict began, Pakistan has tread carefully, adopting a neutral stance. Pakistan remained under pressure from the West to take a clear position and condemn Russia but Islamabad resisted it and abstained from voting against Moscow at the United Nations on several occasions.

However, amid all this there were reports that Pakistan might be supplying ammunition to Ukraine through a third country. Islamabad always denied those charges and insisted it had no direct role in the Russia-Ukraine war.

The latest allegation by the Ukrainian president once again brought Pakistan's alleged role in the spotlight. It came at a time when President Donald Trump was putting immense pressure on India to stop buying oil and weapons from Russia.

Trump has threatened to impose additional duties on Indian goods destined for the US market.