Islamabad (TDI): Russia’s Ambassador to Pakistan, Albert P. Khorev, has emphasized that a lasting resolution to the Ukraine conflict lies in addressing its underlying causes rather than pursuing temporary ceasefires driven by Western interests.
Speaking at a joint press briefing alongside Belarusian Ambassador Andrei Metelitsa, he outlined Moscow’s position on recent developments and peace efforts, including proposed talks in Istanbul.
He said, “We prepare to celebrate the Day of the Eurasian Economic Union, which is observed annually on May 29.”
The Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) is an international economic integration organization comprising five member states; Russia, Belarus, Armenia, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan.
Collectively, the EAEU is home to 185.5 million people. The EAEU’s GDP is $2.6 trillion, its industrial production is $1,6 trillion, its agricultural production is $132 billion, and its investments are $487 billion, he said.
He further said that EAEU countries are pursuing coordinated policies in energy, industrial cooperation, agriculture, and digitalization.
The envoy said that the EAEU’s experience has attracted external actors seeking dialogue with our union in various formats.
“The EAEU has signed free trade agreements with Iran, Serbia, and Vietnam, as well as a non-preferential agreement with China. The Eurasian Economic Commission, the EAEU’s supranational body, has over 80 memorandums of cooperation with third countries, organizations, and integration associations, including the CIS, SCO, ASEAN, and UN structures. Four countries — Iran, Uzbekistan, Cuba, and Moldova — are observer states,” he added.
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Khorev mentioned, “Pakistan’s important geographical location at the crossroads of trade routes makes us optimistic about the great potential for interaction between the Islamic Republic and EAEU countries, particularly with regard to strengthening connectivity and logistical ties.”
This year, Belarus is presiding over the Eurasian Economic Union.
He said that on March 18, Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump spoke by telephone and agreed that Russia would unilaterally suspend its strikes on Ukrainian energy infrastructure facilities for 30 days.
He said that the Ukrainian side later verbally supported this initiative.
“This “energy moratorium” has become a kind of “litmus test” to evaluate Kiev’s ability and willingness to implement the ceasefire agreements.”
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The ambassador said that the results of the test are disappointing. During the moratorium period, from March 18 to April 17, the Kiev regime violated the agreement about 130 times. Despite Ukraine’s apparent lack of political will to honor the peace agreement, Russia refrained from attacking Ukrainian energy facilities for a month.
He said that Russia has repeatedly emphasized that a lasting settlement to the Ukrainian crisis requires the elimination of the root causes of the conflict, not a Western-driven ceasefire.
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.
