The Foreign Office on Tuesday rejected allegations of Pakistani ‘mercenaries’ fighting for Russia in its ongoing conflict with Ukraine, noting it has yet to see any verifiable evidence of such claims.
On Monday, in a posting on X, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky alleged that his country’s troops in northeastern Ukraine were reporting the participation of “mercenaries” from China, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Pakistan, and African countries in the war. “We will respond,” he added, without offering any further details.
In a rejoinder, the Foreign Office said the Government of Pakistan “categorically rejects the baseless and unfounded allegations” of the involvement of Pakistani nationals in the Ukraine conflict. “To date, Pakistan has not been formally approached by the Ukrainian authorities, nor has any verifiable evidence been presented to substantiate such claims,” it added.
The statement maintained that the government would raise the issue with Ukrainian authorities and seek clarification on the matter.
“Pakistan reaffirms its commitment to the peaceful resolution of the Ukraine conflict through dialogue and diplomacy, in accordance with the principles of the U.N. Charter,” it added.
The Russia-Ukraine war began on Feb. 24, 2022 after President Vladimir Putin ordered an invasion of border regions. U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration has been ramping up efforts to secure a ceasefire, recently imposing sanctions on Indian entities for buying oil from Russia that “funds the war.”
Previously, Pakistan has rejected allegations that Islamabad provided arms to Ukraine.