By Staff Reporter
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s foreign office on Tuesday forcefully pushed back against allegations from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who claimed this week that Pakistani mercenaries were among those fighting against Ukraine in its gruelling war with Russia, dismissing the charges as “baseless and unfounded.”
Zelensky’s accusation came after a visit to the frontlines in Ukraine’s northeastern Kharkiv region, where he met with commanders to assess the defence of the destroyed city of Vovchansk. In a post on X on Monday, the Ukrainian president wrote that his “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 Ukrainian leader has previously pointed fingers at Moscow for recruiting foreign fighters, including alleged Chinese combatants, a charge Beijing has denied, while reports have also surfaced of North Korean troops bolstering Russia’s efforts in the Kursk region.
Pakistan’s foreign office wasted no time in firing back. “The Government of Pakistan categorically rejects the baseless and unfounded allegations of the involvement of Pakistani nationals in the conflict in Ukraine,” it said in a statement. “To date, Pakistan has not been formally approached by the Ukrainian authorities, nor has any verifiable evidence been presented to substantiate such claims.”
The ministry added that it plans to take up the matter directly with Kyiv to seek clarification on Zelensky’s remarks.
The war, now stretching into its third year, erupted on Feb. 24, 2022, when Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered the invasion of Ukraine, sparking global outrage and protests from Western leaders and peace activists alike. Thousands have died on both sides, and the fighting has rippled outward, battering the global economy and hitting developing nations particularly hard. Washington and other powers have repeatedly called for an end to the bloodshed, but the conflict shows little sign of abating.
Pakistan’s response reflects its delicate balancing act in a war that has polarised the international community. Historically, Islamabad has enjoyed solid ties with Ukraine, including past purchases of Ukrainian weapons systems. But in recent years, it has tilted closer to Moscow, signing trade and investment deals with Russia as it grapples with a prolonged economic crisis.
Still, Pakistan has steered clear of openly criticising Russia’s invasion, opting instead to advocate for peace. “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 foreign office said.
This isn’t the first time Pakistan has had to fend off accusations tied to the war. The government has previously knocked down claims that it was supplying arms to Ukraine, rumours that Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba also debunked during a visit to Islamabad in July 2023. At the time, Kuleba made clear that no deals existed between the two countries for weapons or ammunition.
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