Imran Khan expresses his regret that the conflict was not averted by Russia’s extensive invasion of Ukraine.
Islamabad, Pakistan – Russian President Vladimir Putin met with Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan in Moscow. occupation of UkraineAccording to a Pakistani statement, the latter expressed “regret” for not preventing a military conflict.
Khan met with Putin at the Kremlin on Thursday evening, holding a bilateral photo shoot before both governments began what has been described as a “summit meeting” by Pakistan.
A statement from the Russian government described Prime Minister Khan’s trip to Moscow as a “study visit”.
“The leaders of the two countries discussed the main aspects of bilateral cooperation and exchanged views on current regional issues, including developments in South Asia,” the statement said. expression From the Russian Presidency.
Prior to the visit, Pakistan’s foreign office said the two leaders’ talks will focus on regional developments, Afghanistan, Islamophobia and a major gas pipeline deal that Pakistan wants to conclude with Russia.
On the conflict in Ukraine, Prime Minister Khan’s office made the country’s first official statement, saying that Pakistan is not in favor of the conflict, but refrains from taking responsibility for hostilities.
“Prime minister [Imran Khan] He regretted the recent situation between Russia and Ukraine and said he hoped Pakistani diplomacy could prevent a military confrontation.
“The Prime Minister stressed that conflict is not in anyone’s interest and that in a conflict situation, the developing countries always suffer the most economically.”
The two leaders did not make a statement to the press after their meeting, and Russia did not make any other statement about the meeting. In the statement made by Pakistan, it was stated that the Pakistan Stream natural gas pipeline project was discussed, but no agreement was signed during the visit.
In a statement from Pakistan, it was stated that Prime Minister Khan also met with Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak, and Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi had a short meeting with his Russian counterpart.
On Friday, Pakistan’s embassy in Ukraine advised the estimated 500 Pakistani students currently stranded in Ukraine to head to the eastern town of Ternopil, about 360 km (224 mi) east of the capital, Kiev, to be evacuated.
“All Pakistani students in Ukraine are advised to reach Ternopil [as soon as possible] For evacuation”, read the Pakistani foreign ministry’s statement. The statement said that Pakistan’s embassy in Ukraine is now “fully functional” in Ternopil.
Public transport and train services have been badly affected by the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
Noel Israel Khokhar, Pakistan’s ambassador to Ukraine, said the country is home to about 1,500 Pakistani citizens, state-run radio broadcaster Radio Pakistan reported.