Pakistan denies Zelensky’ claim of its fighters aiding Russia

ISLAMABAD: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has claimed that fighters from Pakistan, China, and African countries are among those fighting alongside Russian forces in northeastern Ukraine.

President Zelensky said in a statement on X (formerly Twitter) that “We spoke with the commanders on the frontline about the defense and the war situation in Vovchansk.

Our soldiers have reported that mercenaries from China, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Pakistan and some African countries are involved in this frontline. We will respond to this.”

However,  Pakistan has strongly rejected the allegations regarding the alleged participation of Pakistani citizens in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, calling them baseless, fabricated, and unacceptable.

A statement issued by the Foreign Office Spokesperson said that the Government of Pakistan completely rejects these allegations. There is no truth in this regard at any level.

According to the spokesperson, so far, the Ukrainian authorities have neither formally contacted the Pakistani government nor provided any verifiable or concrete evidence in support of these claims.

Pakistan will establish formal contact with Ukraine on this issue and seek clarification on such allegations.

The Foreign Office has made it clear that Pakistan believes in a peaceful and diplomatic resolution of the Ukrainian conflict and strongly supports a negotiated settlement following the principles of the United Nations Charter.

A BBC report in 2023 claimed that Pakistan had signed a $364 million arms deal with two American private companies, through which the weapons were allegedly delivered to Ukraine.

However, these allegations have been rejected on various occasions by Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry, former caretaker Prime Minister Anwarul Haq Kakar, and the Russian ambassador to Pakistan.

President Zelensky has previously accused Russia of recruiting Chinese fighters, which China has denied. Similarly, North Korea has been accused of sending thousands of its troops to the Kursk region of Russia.