By Shabbir Hussain
ISLAMABAD, Dec 16 (Alliance News):The Embassy of Ukraine in Pakistan has firmly rejected a recent statement issued by the Russian Embassy in Islamabad, calling it misleading, aggressive, and full of disinformation.
In an official rebuttal, Ukraine’s Ambassador to Pakistan, H.E. Markiian Chuchuk, said the Russian statement released on December 11 was not a diplomatic message but a piece of propaganda designed to distort facts and justify Russia’s war against Ukraine.
War Is Russian Aggression, Not a “Ukrainian Crisis”
Ambassador Chuchuk stressed that Russia’s war must not be described as a “Ukrainian crisis” or an “internal conflict.” He said such terms are deliberately used to hide Russia’s role as the aggressor.
According to international law, Russia began its aggression in 2014 with the illegal annexation of Crimea and the war in eastern Ukraine. This aggression escalated into a full-scale invasion on February 24, 2022. Ukraine, the Ambassador said, is defending itself under Article 51 of the UN Charter.
“No propaganda terms like ‘special military operation’ can change the legal reality of this war,” he added.
UN Has Clearly Named Russia as the Aggressor
The Ukrainian envoy rejected claims that outside forces provoked the war. He pointed to several UN General Assembly resolutions that clearly condemn Russia’s actions, including resolutions affirming Ukraine’s territorial integrity and demanding the withdrawal of Russian troops.
“These international decisions leave no doubt about who started the war,” the statement said.
Support from the US and Europe Recognized
Responding to Russian claims about divisions among Western countries, Ambassador Chuchuk said both the United States and Europe share a common position: Russia is the aggressor.
He thanked the US, the European Union, and other partners for their political, military, and humanitarian support, and for backing a just and lasting peace for Ukraine.
Crimes Against Ukrainian Children Highlighted
The Ambassador strongly condemned Russia’s actions against Ukrainian children, calling them among the most serious crimes of the war.
He said thousands of children have been forcibly taken from occupied Ukrainian territories to Russia, often separated from their parents. Many are subjected to forced re-education, militarization, and identity changes.
Sharing details of the of war, he said the Key facts are include:
-
Russia has admitted relocating over 700,000 Ukrainian children
-
The International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants in March 2023 for Russian President Vladimir Putin and Russia’s Children’s Rights Commissioner
-
Ukraine has documented 19,546 cases of unlawful child deportation
-
Nearly 1.5 million children in occupied areas remain at risk
Ukraine, together with Canada and other partners, has launched international efforts to bring these children home. So far, 1,892 children have been returned.
Russia Accused of Undermining International Justice
Ambassador Chuchuk dismissed Russian criticism of international legal mechanisms, including the Register of Damage and plans for a tribunal.
He said international law clearly requires an aggressor state to compensate for the damage it causes. Freezing and confiscating Russian assets, he added, is a lawful response—not theft.
Ukraine’s Government Is Legitimate
The statement also rejected Russian attacks on the legitimacy of Ukraine’s leadership. The Ambassador explained that elections cannot be held during active war due to security risks.
Under Ukraine’s constitution, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy remains in office legally until elections can be safely conducted. Claims of “usurpation of power,” he said, are baseless propaganda.
Condemnation of Nuclear Threats
The Ukrainian Embassy expressed serious concern over Russia’s references to nuclear weapons in its statement, calling them direct threats against Europe.
Such language, the Ambassador warned, violates international law and shows Russia’s willingness to use weapons of mass destruction.
Message to the Global South and Pakistan
Ambassador Chuchuk said Russia is waging a modern colonial war while falsely using anti-colonial rhetoric to gain support in the Global South.
He rejected any suggestion that Pakistan’s neutrality means support for Russia, praising Pakistan for consistently supporting sovereignty and territorial integrity.
He thanked the Government and people of Pakistan for their support of Ukraine and commitment to peace. The Ukrainian Embassy concluded that the Russian statement reflects aggressive intentions and a lack of genuine interest in peace.
“Ukraine remains open to negotiations,” the statement said, “but only for a just and lasting peace based on international law and the UN Charter.”
