Islamabad (TDI): The European Delegation, Team Europe, and the Embassy of Ukraine jointly held a solemn event on Wednesday to mark the fourth anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Hosted at the Embassy of Poland, the ceremony featured a documentary screening and photographic exhibition highlighting the devastating impact of the conflict on Ukrainian civilians.
The event was attended by diplomats, politicians, journalists, think-tank representatives, human rights activists, NGO members, and civil society leaders, who gathered to express solidarity with Ukraine and reaffirm support for its sovereignty and territorial integrity.
In a joint statement, the EU Delegation, Team Europe, and the Ukrainian Embassy strongly condemned Russia’s ongoing aggression, particularly its deliberate targeting of Ukraine’s energy infrastructure during the harsh winter, calling it unacceptable and a violation of international humanitarian law.
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The statement urged Russia to cease hostilities, withdraw its forces, and engage in meaningful peace negotiations, noting that the EU had committed an additional €90 billion in support for Ukraine and continued to enforce sanctions to hold Russia accountable.
“We reiterate that any path to peace requires Russia to engage in serious negotiations directly with Ukraine,” it read.
Ukrainian Ambassador, Markiian Chuchuk, reflected on “Four Years of Ukraine’s Struggle for Freedom,” highlighting the immense human cost of the war, including over one million Russian casualties, tens of thousands of Ukrainian deaths, abductions of children, and the displacement of millions.
“We count on Pakistan’s active role as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council and on its international authority in advancing a just peace in Ukraine,” the ambassador added.
EU Ambassador, Raimundas Karoblis, speaking on behalf of Team Europe, praised Ukraine’s resilience and reiterated the EU’s unwavering support.
He said that the EU would continue to pressure Russia economically, including through energy import reductions and bans on refined petroleum products.
“We are currently battling hybrid threats — cyberattacks, disinformation, interference in democratic processes, recurring encroachments and provocations in the airspace and the weaponization of energy and supply chains,” the ambassador further noted.
German Ambassador, Ina Lepel, reaffirmed Europe’s support and highlighted the humanitarian crises caused by attacks on energy infrastructure. She reiterated that Ukraine is ready for serious negotiations, stressing that pressure on Moscow would continue until meaningful dialogue occurs.
Polish Ambassador, Maciej Pisarski, condemned recent Russian strikes on residential areas and critical infrastructure as a deliberate strategy to inflict civilian suffering, particularly during the harsh winter.
A statement from the Embassy of Poland further noted that Russia’s aggression threatens global security, disrupts energy and food supplies, and destabilizes international peace; urging continued international support for Ukraine, both military and non-military.
