The Pakistani government has strongly denied allegations made by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky who claimed foreign mercenaries, including Pakistani nationals, were fighting alongside Russian forces in Ukraine.
On Monday, during a visit to the frontline area of Vovchansk in Ukraine’s Kharkiv region, President Zelensky stated that Ukrainian forces were encountering “mercenaries” from several countries, including Pakistan, China, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and African nations.
“Our warriors in this sector are reporting the participation of mercenaries… We will respond,” Zelensky posted on X (formerly Twitter), sharing updates on his discussions with military commanders of the 57th Brigade.
Although Zelensky did not provide direct evidence to support the claim, he has previously accused Russia of recruiting foreign nationals, including Chinese fighters — an accusation Beijing has denied.
Pakistan rejects accusations as ‘baseless’
In a swift response, Pakistan’s Foreign Office firmly rejected the Ukrainian President’s remarks, labelling them as “baseless” and “unsupported by any credible evidence.”
“We completely reject the allegations of Pakistani nationals’ involvement,” the Foreign Office Spokesperson Shafqat Ali Khan said in a statement issued on Tuesday. “To date, Ukrainian authorities have not made any formal contact with Pakistan.”
The spokesperson further added that Islamabad would formally raise the matter with the Ukrainian authorities and seek an explanation.
Calls for diplomacy and peaceful resolution
Pakistan reiterated its neutral stance on the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict, underscoring its commitment to peace and diplomacy.
“The resolution of the dispute should be achieved through negotiations and diplomacy in accordance with the UN Charter,” the spokesperson said, reaffirming Pakistan’s consistent position since the start of the war in 2022.
