Islamabad assures Moscow its not supplying arms to Ukraine via third party

• Envoy terms media reports about arms supply unconfirmed.
• West can't tolerate good ties between Islamabad, Moscow, he says.
• Khorev thanks Pakistan for independent approach towards conflict.

ISLAMABAD: Albert Khorev, Russia's ambassador to Pakistan, said reports about Pakistani arms being supplied to Ukraine through a third country are not confirmed, stating that Islamabad has assured Moscow that no third party will do so, The News reported on Thursday.

Khorev, while addressing a press briefing in the federal capital said Russia hopes for Pakistan to continue its policy pertaining to the matter.

The Russian envoy added that the West could not tolerate good relations between Islamabad and Moscow.

The Russian ambassador, on the 10th anniversary of the revolt in Ukraine, held a briefing and answered questions from the Pakistani media on the situation around the conflict in Ukraine.

He said they are grateful to the government of Pakistan that they wanted an independent approach towards the Russia-Ukraine conflict. He said this is the reason that Pakistan did not participate in anti-Russia voting in the United Nations the other day.

From the very start of the conflict, Russia tried to sort out the conflict by developing a consensus, he said.

Khorev said that despite this Ukraine imposed a restriction on consultation with Russia and until Ukraine removes this restriction and shows seriousness towards the issue, the solution of the conflict is not possible.

In Ukraine, the US army is involved in secret activities which must be investigated, he said and added that Americans have also been involved in army-related experiments. He said there is no duration or deadline for ending the Russian armed operation. He said, “We appeal to the media to do impartial reporting on the Russia-Ukraine conflict.”

Ten years ago, the situation in Ukraine could be controlled but the West supported extremist elements in the country. On Feb 21, 2014, the president of Ukraine signed an agreement with the opposition leaders to sort out the political crisis and establish a government with national harmony. Its purpose was also to make constitutional amendments and after this hold general elections.

Despite all this, the next day the opposition announced the resignation of the president and made the government put aside the Constitution, whereas the US and so-called guarantor countries, including the European Union, ignored it and adversely supported it. It laid the foundation of anarchy and division in the local population. Several areas of Ukraine were not ready to be governed by the new Russian anti-government.

During the visit of former prime minister of Pakistan Imran Khan, Khorev mentioned, Russia started its operation in Ukraine after which Khan was removed from his position. However, he deemed it as Pakistan’s internal issue.