Islamabad has strongly dismissed accusations made by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who recently claimed that foreign mercenaries — including individuals from Pakistan — are participating in the ongoing war against Russia.
In a sharply worded statement issued on Tuesday, Pakistan’s Foreign Office (FO) labeled the allegations as “baseless and unfounded,” asserting that no credible evidence has been shared by Kyiv to support the claim.
Islamabad Pushes Back
The response came after President Zelensky posted on X (formerly Twitter) that Ukrainian forces defending Vovchansk in the northeast had encountered foreign fighters allegedly hailing from China, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and African countries. Zelensky vowed a response, but provided no details or proof.
Reacting to the remarks, Pakistan’s FO clarified, “Pakistan has not been formally approached by Ukrainian authorities, nor has any verifiable information been shared with us. We categorically reject these claims.”
The FO further said it would be reaching out to Ukraine to seek clarification on the matter.
Diplomatic Tightrope
While reiterating its neutral stance in the Russia-Ukraine conflict, Pakistan emphasized its consistent support for a peaceful resolution through dialogue and diplomacy, aligned with the UN Charter.
The country has previously faced similar accusations, particularly regarding alleged arms supplies to Ukraine. However, both Islamabad and Kyiv have publicly denied the existence of any such defense agreements.
During his 2023 visit to Pakistan, former Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba had dismissed reports of arms transactions between the two nations, stating there was “no deal” in place.
Balancing Relations in a Polarized Conflict
Pakistan’s ties with both Ukraine and Russia add a layer of complexity to its position on the conflict. Historically, Islamabad has had a defense procurement relationship with Ukraine, especially in the 1990s and early 2000s. In recent years, however, it has also been steadily warming up to Moscow, particularly in energy and defense cooperation.
As the war drags into its fourth year, Islamabad has stuck to a carefully calibrated approach — avoiding entanglement while calling for ceasefire and de-escalation. Tuesday’s denial appears to be yet another attempt to maintain that balancing act amid rising global tensions.
