FO rejects Zelensky’s claim on Pakistani ‘mercenaries’ – Newspaper

ISLAMABAD: The Foreign Offi­­ce (FO) on Tuesday rejected claims by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who had alleged that Pakistani nationals were involved in the Ukraine conflict, Dawn.com reported.

Zelensky had claimed on Monday that his troops in northeastern Ukr­aine were fighting foreign “mercenaries” from various countries, including China, Pakistan and parts of Africa.

A subsequent statement said the Foreign Office “categorically rejec­­ts the baseless and unfounded allegations of the involvement of Pakistani nationals in the conflict in Ukraine”.

“To date, Pakistan has not been formally approa­ched by the Ukrainian authorities, nor has any verifiable evidence been presented to substantiate such claims.”

The statement added that the government wou­ld take up this matter with the Ukrainian authorities, “and seek clarification in this regard”.

“Pakistan reaffirms its commitment to the peaceful resolution of the Ukrai­­ne conflict through dialogue and diplomacy, in accordance with the principles of the UN Charter,” the statement said.

The Pakistan governm­e­­nt has on separate oc­­ca­sions rebuffed allegations that the country was providing arms to Ukraine.

During a visit to Pakistan in July 2023, then-Ukra­inian foreign minister Dmytro Kuleba had rejected similar reports, clarifying that the two nations had no deals for the supply of arms and ammunition.

Published in Dawn, August 6th, 2025

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