Pakistan Finally Calls Russian Invasion Of Ukraine ‘Huge Tragedy’
Islamabad, April 2: Pakistan Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Bajwa on Saturday termed Russia’s invasion of Ukraine as a “huge tragedy” and urged for the war to be “stopped immediately”.
Speaking at the Islamabad Security Dialogue, Gen Bajwa said, “Despite legitimate security concerns of Russia, its aggression against a smaller country cannot be condoned. “Pakistan has consistently called for an immediate ceasefire and cessation of hostilities.
We support immediate dialogue between all sides to find a lasting solution to the conflict”. Dawn quoted the Army Chief as condemning Russia’s invasion very unfortunate as thousands of people had been killed, millions made refugees and “half of Ukraine destroyed”.
Speaking on Ukraine’s fight against the invasion he said that Ukraine has given hope to smaller countries that they could defend their territory with “smaller but agile forces against aggression by a bigger country by carrying out selective modernisation of equipment”. He pointed out that while Pakistan’s relations with Ukraine was good but the relations with Russia had been “cold” for a long time because of numerous reasons.
Russia had invaded Ukraine on February 24. According to UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi, the refugees from Ukraine are now 4 million, five weeks after the start of the Russian attack.