ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan on Tuesday underscored Pakistan’s potential role for mediation in the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

In a telephone conversation with President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky, Mr Khan said: “Non-partisan countries like Pakistan are in a position to play a helpful role in reinforcing efforts for cessation of hostilities and a diplomatic solution.”

This was the first time that the two leaders spoke to each other since Russia started the war against Ukraine.

Mr Khan was visiting Moscow when Russian forces invaded Ukraine on Feb 24.

Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi had, in a conversation with his Ukrainian counterpart Dmytro Kuleba on Feb 28, explained Pakistan’s perspective to him and emphasised the need for resolution of the conflict through peace and dialogue.

Though Pakistan opted for neutrality on the conflict and abstained from the vote in the UNGA asking Russia to end its military operations in Ukraine, Islamabad has strong defence ties with Kyiv and the two were undertaking several projects on the basis of transfer of technology.

In 2020, Ukraine won the tender for repair of IL-78 air-refueller in PAF fleet. Meanwhile, Ukrainian-built T-80UD tanks are crucial part of Pakistan’s armoured corps.

Ukraine was, moreover, a major market for import of wheat for Pakistan. In 2020-21, Pakistan imported nearly 1.2 million tonnes of wheat from Ukraine. It is feared that prolonged conflict between Russia and Ukraine could threaten Pakistan’s food security.

Talking to Mr Zelensky, the PM regretted the continued military conflict and reiterated Pakistan’s principled position in support of immediate cessation of hostilities and resolution of the conflict through dialogue and diplomacy.

He said that he had been persistently highlighting the adverse economic impact of the conflict on developing countries as manifested in rising prices of oil and other commodities.

The PM said that foreign ministers of Islamic countries had expressed deep concern at the deteriorating security and humanitarian situation triggered by the conflict in Ukraine, and called for an immediate cessation of hostilities.

While speaking at the OIC meeting, Mr Khan had asked China and countries in the Muslim bloc to mediate an end to the Russia-Ukraine war.

Mr Zelensky, meanwhile, said that he had told Mr Khan about his country’s struggle against Russian aggression. “The people of Ukraine seek peace. This is our unconditional priority,” he said.

Published in Dawn, March 30th, 2022