Islamabad۔ Russian Ambassador to Pakistan Albert P. Khorev, during his regular press briefing, outlined Moscow’s position on the ongoing Ukraine conflict. He said that in May 2025, on the initiative of President Vladimir Putin, direct negotiations between Russia and Ukraine were resumed. According to him, these talks resulted in some progress, including the exchange of prisoners and discussions on mechanisms for ceasefire verification, but comprehensive progress toward a lasting truce remains limited.
Ambassador Khorev noted that despite these steps, Kyiv has missed opportunities to uphold temporary ceasefires and has relied on Western military and financial assistance to reorganize its forces. He stressed that Russia is opposed to temporary pauses intended to rearm Ukraine, reiterating that Moscow seeks meaningful negotiations aimed at sustainable peace. He highlighted agreements already achieved, including the exchange of more than 1,000 prisoners, the repatriation of bodies, and continued efforts to form a joint working group on ceasefire implementation.
Commenting on Ukraine’s internal policies, the Russian envoy said that certain recent legislative measures and restrictions in Kyiv have further complicated the dialogue process. He also alleged that civil and political freedoms have been curtailed under martial law since 2022.
On broader international issues, Ambassador Khorev pointed out that Western countries continue to pursue what he called double standards regarding Nazism and historical memory. He underlined that in 2024, a Russian-sponsored resolution at the United Nations condemning the glorification of Nazism was supported by a majority of member states, including Pakistan. He expressed gratitude to Islamabad for maintaining a consistent policy of neutrality and termed Pakistan’s stance “wise and constructive” in the interest of peace.
The Russian ambassador added that Moscow remains open to constructive engagement with the United States, Europe, and other partners, but considers the presence of Western troops on Ukrainian soil unacceptable. He emphasized that Russia’s preference is for dialogue and de-escalation rather than confrontation, with the ultimate objective of achieving lasting peace in Europe.