Islamabad (TDI): In a wide-ranging press briefing at the Russian Embassy in Islamabad, Russian Ambassador to Pakistan Albert P. Khorev emphasized the need for a diplomatic resolution to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, praising Pakistan’s consistent support for neutrality and peace.
Speaking to diplomatic correspondents, Ambassador Khorev revealed that Russia has resumed direct negotiations with Ukraine since May 2025, following an initiative by President Vladimir Putin.
Although the talks have produced some limited results, including prisoner exchanges and humanitarian agreements, the envoy accused Kyiv of repeatedly undermining ceasefire initiatives and showing reluctance to engage in technical negotiations.
“The Ukrainian leadership has had multiple opportunities this year to demonstrate its commitment to peace but has repeatedly violated ceasefires,” Khorev stated, citing failed truces in March, during Easter in April, and during Russia’s Victory Day celebrations in May.
Ambassador Khorev alleged that Kyiv’s push for a full ceasefire is not a sincere peace effort but a strategy to regroup its forces with European military and financial backing—support that, according to him, has amounted to over $70 billion since the start of the conflict in 2022.
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Highlighting shared concerns, the envoy thanked Pakistan for its principled stance at the United Nations, where Islamabad supported Russia’s resolution against the glorification of Nazism in 2024.
“Pakistan’s support for a diplomatic resolution, despite external pressure, aligns closely with Russia’s own approach,” Khorev said.
In his remarks, the ambassador also criticized Western countries and the United Nations Secretariat, accusing them of applying double standards and failing to uphold the principle of impartiality in international conflicts.
Khorev reiterated that any future summit between Presidents Putin and Zelensky must be the culmination of a peace process, not its starting point.
He argued that addressing core issues—such as NATO expansion, treatment of Russian-speaking minorities, and the preservation of historical memory—is essential for lasting peace.
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On the broader geopolitical front, Khorev praised the outcome of the 2025 Anchorage talks between Presidents Putin and Trump, saying they demonstrated mutual understanding on the roots of the conflict.
He accused European powers and Kyiv of sabotaging this progress through the creation of “legally invalid” support structures.
The ambassador also addressed recent tensions with Poland, dismissing claims of Russian drones entering Polish airspace and reiterating Russia’s openness to dialogue.
In closing, Ambassador Khorev commended Pakistan’s balanced foreign policy. “Pakistan continues to play a responsible role on the global stage by supporting peaceful and negotiated solutions. This is a position we deeply respect and value,” he said.
Sohail Majeed
Sohail Majeed is a Special Correspondent at The Diplomatic Insight. He has twelve plus years of experience in journalism & reporting. He covers International Affairs, Diplomacy, UN, Sports, Climate Change, Economy, Technology, and Health.
