Islamabad (TDI): Russian Ambassador to Pakistan Albert P. Khorev addressed a media briefing in Islamabad, presenting Moscow’s stance on the Ukraine conflict, Western involvement, and prospects for a diplomatic resolution.
He outlined Russia’s perspective on the origins of the war, the current situation on the battlefield, and recent diplomatic engagements.
Khorev described the war as part of a broader geopolitical confrontation between Russia and the West.
He accused the United States and its allies of expanding NATO eastward while ignoring Moscow’s security concerns.
He said Ukraine had been turned into a staging ground for anti-Russian policies since 2014, after a Western-backed government came to power in Kyiv.
The Ukrainian leadership targeted Russian-speaking communities, rewrote historical narratives, and fostered hostility toward Moscow, he said.
The envoy claimed that continued violations of the rights of ethnic Russians, coupled with the militarization of Ukraine, posed a direct threat to Russia’s security, prompting the launch of its military operation on February 24, 2022.
The ambassador stated that Russian forces control most of Donetsk, Zaporozhye, and Kherson regions and nearly all of Luhansk.
He also said Russian troops are advancing in Kharkov to push back Ukrainian attacks on Russian border areas.
Read More: Russian Envoy Slams West Role in Ukraine
He accused Ukrainian forces of committing atrocities against civilians in areas under their control, citing reports of killings and other abuses during Ukrainian withdrawals from certain regions.
Khorev criticized the continued military and financial support provided to Ukraine by the West, saying the aid has surpassed $350 billion.
He claimed that NATO has set up new mechanisms, such as military training programs in Germany and Poland, to prolong the conflict.
While he acknowledged that some Western politicians have begun questioning the effectiveness of this strategy, Khorev accused the US Biden administration of pushing for further escalation.
Khorev said that Russia remains open to diplomacy. He pointed to President Vladimir Putin’s June 2024 proposal for a peace settlement, which includes Ukraine’s withdrawal from Russian-controlled regions, recognition of new territorial boundaries, a commitment to neutrality, and the lifting of sanctions on Russia.
He emphasized that Moscow is not interested in a temporary ceasefire that would allow Ukraine to rebuild its military but in a long-term resolution ensuring European security.
He accused Ukraine and its allies of rejecting talks, citing Kyiv’s military incursion into Russia’s Kursk region in August 2024 as evidence of continued aggression.
Read More: Ambassador Khorev briefs on Ukrainian Conflict, Military Operation
He also criticized the West’s selective approach to international law, drawing comparisons between the recognition of Kosovo’s independence and the condemnation of referendums in Crimea, Donetsk, and other Russian-held territories.
The ambassador welcomed mediation efforts by countries from the Global South, including China, Brazil, and several African nations, saying their proposals align with Russia’s interests.
He praised Pakistan for maintaining a neutral stance on the conflict.
The Russian Ambassador highlighted the “Group of Friends of Peace in Ukraine,” an initiative supported by China and Brazil, aimed at finding a negotiated settlement.
He said Russia supports peace talks based on international law, mutual security guarantees, and opposition to unilateral sanctions.
Khorev expressed optimism about diplomatic engagements with the new US administration under Donald Trump.
He confirmed that high-level contacts had resumed, including a phone conversation between Putin and Trump on February 12, followed by talks between Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
He said Russian and US officials also held discussions in Riyadh on February 18.
According to the ambassador, Trump acknowledged that NATO’s expansion into Ukraine was a mistake.
He said Moscow and Washington had agreed to restore diplomatic channels, explore economic cooperation, and establish a dedicated track for negotiations on Ukraine.
If progress is made, broader discussions on global security issues, including conflicts in the Middle East, could follow, he added.
However, Khorev warned that certain groups in Ukraine and Europe were trying to derail negotiations.
He pointed to recent reports about Ukrainian attacks on Russian infrastructure and allegations about Russian drone activity near the Chernobyl nuclear site as attempts to disrupt the peace process.
The ambassador concluded by announcing plans for another briefing in April, which will focus on the 80th anniversary of Russia’s victory in World War II and the founding of the United Nations.
He said the event would highlight the historical significance of these milestones and their relevance to current global affairs.
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