The Government of Pakistan has categorically rejected the "baseless and unfounded" allegations regarding the involvement of Pakistani nationals in the Ukraine conflict.

 

In a statement issued on Monday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) said the government would raise the matter with Ukrainian authorities, “and seek clarification in this regard”.

 

“Pakistan reaffirms its commitment to the peaceful resolution of the Ukraine conflict through dialogue and diplomacy, by the principles of the UN Charter,” the statement added.

 

In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky claimed that his troops in northeastern Ukraine were fighting 'mercenaries' from various countries, including Pakistan.

 

“We spoke with commanders about the frontline situation, the defence of Vovchansk, and the dynamics of the battles.”

 

“Our warriors in this sector are reporting the participation of mercenaries from China, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Pakistan, and African countries in the war. We will respond,” wrote Zelenskyy.

 

Earlier in 2023, media reports suggested that Pakistan had provided Ukraine with ammunition, a claim Islamabad had officially denied.

 

In February 2023, France 24 reported that “run-down ammunition supplies are one of Kyiv’s most pressing concerns, with Ukraine and its partners resorting to far-flung countries like South Korea and Pakistan as sources of artillery munitions”. Many reports had also alleged that the ammunition was sent to Ukraine through a European country.

 

The then MFO spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch rebuffed the reports, claiming that Pakistan maintains a policy of non-interference in military conflicts.

 

"Pakistan only exports defence stores to other states based on strong end-use and non-retransfer assurances. And this is the case of Pakistan’s position in the Ukraine-Russia conflict,” she maintained.