Pakistan rejects Zelensky’s allegation

ISLAMABAD: The government has strongly rejected the allegations made by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who claimed that Pakistani nationals are participating as mercenaries in the ongoing war in Ukraine. Pakistan has announced it will formally take up the matter with Ukrainian authorities and seek clarification.

“Pakistan categorically rejects the baseless and unfounded allegations of the involvement of Pakistani nationals in the conflict in Ukraine. To date, Pakistan has not been formally approached by Ukrainian authorities, nor has any verifiable evidence been presented to substantiate such claims,” the Foreign Office said in a statement.

President Zelensky, while addressing Ukrainian troops on the frontline in the Vovchansk sector, claimed that foreign mercenaries from China, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Pakistan and several African countries were fighting alongside Russian forces.

He notably did not mention Indian mercenaries, who have reportedly fought openly alongside Russian troops. On several occasions, India and Russia have coordinated to evacuate such individuals and repatriate them to India.

Pakistan has consistently maintained a policy of neutrality in the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, repeatedly calling for an immediate ceasefire and urging both sides to pursue a diplomatic resolution. Diplomatic engagement with both Kyiv and Moscow has remained ongoing, with delegations from both countries visiting Islamabad for talks.

“Pakistan reaffirms its commitment to the peaceful resolution of the Ukraine conflict through dialogue and diplomacy, in accordance with the principles of the UN Charter,” the Foreign Office reiterated.

Islamabad has also previously denied accusations of supplying weapons to Ukraine—claims that were rejected not only by Pakistan but also by both Moscow and Kyiv.

In March, Russia’s Ambassador to Pakistan, Albert P. Khorev, told Arab News that reports suggesting Islamabad had supplied weapons to Ukraine were unfounded, stating that “no evidence” had been found to support such claims.

Reports of foreign mercenaries participating in the Ukraine war have circulated widely since early 2023. According to The New York Times and VICE, between 1,500 and 2,000 foreign fighters were believed to be supporting Kyiv. Many of these individuals, including South Asians such as Indians, Nepalis, and Sri Lankans, were reportedly recruited via social media platforms and travel agencies — often with misleading information about the nature of the work.