ISLAMABAD: Pakistan-Russia relations are fast evolving into a “mature relationship” encompassing cooperation over counterterrorism, trade and defense.
“Pakistan and Russia are building new partnership amid hopes and compromises. Both states are working for full spectrum connectivity, but the security agenda has dominated the bilateral talks (so far),” analyst Qamar Cheema told Arab News.
Pakistan marked the 70th anniversary of bilateral relations with the Russian Federation on May 1, 2018, with focus on “multi-dimensional strategic partnership.”
“We believe that long-term multidimensional strategic partnership between the two countries will be mutually beneficial for the people of Pakistan and the Russian Federation and would contribute toward regional peace and stability,” said a statement issued by the Foreign Office on Tuesday.
In April, a high-level Russian delegation, led by Sergey S. Goreslavsky, deputy general director at Russia’s RosoboronExport, and Valery Molostov, Chief Counsellor of Presidential Administration, visited Pakistan. They said that “Russia considers Pakistan as a reliable partner in South Asia and is keen to develop strong bilateral relations in all possible areas.”
On March 14, a Russian delegation led by Deputy Secretary of the Security Council of the Russian Federation, Mikhail Popov, along with other senior officials, met Pakistan’s National Security Adviser Lt .Gen. (Retd.) Nasser Khan Janjua and agreed that such visits always prove to be instrumental in enhancing better understanding and further strengthening of bilateral relations.
During the discussion, the Russian delegation reiterated the commitment of his government to enhance cooperation with Pakistan in all possible areas including military, defense, intelligence, security, energy and training.
“Relations between the two countries are today characterized by mutual trust, commonality of interests and convergence of views on important regional and global issues. Both countries have similar stakes in durable peace and stability in their common neighborhood, and harbor shared aspirations for regional development and prosperity,” the Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry acknowledged.
The ministry said that the upward trajectory is being maintained through sustained high-level interaction through strong institutional mechanisms and cementing cooperation in trade and commerce.
The two countries have also collaborated closely at international forums, including the UN.
Russia has been a strong supporter of Pakistan’s membership of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), another useful platform for close cooperation on matters of common concern.
“Pakistan views Russia as an important global power, a significant development partner, and a salient contributor to regional stability,” Foreign Office spokesperson Dr. Mohammed Faisal said.
“The presence of Islamic State (Daesh) in Afghanistan is a common threat for Pakistan and Russia; both the countries believe that the US is not doing enough for regional stability and this factor has also contributed to bring Moscow and Islamabad closer,” said Lt. Gen. (Retd.) Amjad Shoaib, a security analyst, while talking to Arab News.
The hard-line US approach toward Pakistan lately pushed Islamabad to also look at Russia for its defense needs.
“Russia has sold some helicopters to Pakistan and I think Moscow is willing to sell more (military) hardware but Islamabad is assessing its defense requirement,” said Shoaib.
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Pakistan, Russia look at ‘multidimensional strategic partnership’ in region
Pakistan, Russia look at ‘multidimensional strategic partnership’ in region
- The swiftly evolving geopolitical situation in the region has led Pakistan and Russia to a historic high point in their bilateral relations.
- Relations between the two countries are today characterized by mutual trust, commonality of interests and convergence of views on important regional and global issues.
Ukraine’s Zelensky meets Pope Leo, prepares revised plan on Russia war
- UKrainian leader said that Washington’s 28-point plan had been reduced to 20 points after US-Ukraine talks at the weekend
CASTEL GANDOLFO, Italy: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky met with Pope Leo XIV in Italy on Tuesday as he prepared to send the United States revised proposals to end Russia’s invasion.
Zelensky on Monday held talks with European leaders in London and Brussels as US President Donald Trump keeps up pressure on Kyiv for a settlement.
Trump has accused Zelensky of not even reading his administration’s initial proposals, which were judged by Ukraine’s allies to be overly favorable to Russia.
Zelensky said that Washington’s 28-point plan had been reduced to 20 points after US-Ukraine talks at the weekend.
Ukrainian and European officials “are going to work on these 20 points,” Zelensky told an online press conference on Monday.
“We do not like everything that our partners came back with. Although this issue is not so much with the Americans as with the Russians.
“But we will definitely work on it, and as I said, tomorrow evening (Tuesday) we will do everything to send our view on this to the US.”
Washington’s plan involved Ukraine surrendering land that Russia has not captured in return for security promises that fall short of Kyiv’s aspirations to join NATO.
Zelensky pointed to the land issue and international security guarantees as two of the main sticking points.
“Do we envision ceding territories? We have no legal right to do so, under Ukrainian law, our constitution and international law. And we don’t have any moral right either,” Zelensky said.
“The key is to know what our partners will be ready to do in the event of new aggression by Russia. At the moment, we have not received any answer to this question,” Zelensky said.
‘Robust security guarantees’
Zelensky met with Pope Leo at his country residence in Castel Gandolfo near Rome, and is to meet Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni later Tuesday.
Meloni has been a staunch supporter of Kyiv since Russia’s February 2022 invasion, although one of her coalition allies, Matteo Salvini’s League party, is more skeptical.
Rome has sent weapons to Ukraine but only for use inside the country. Meloni has also ruled out sending troops in a possible monitoring force proposed by Britain and France.
The Italian government last week postponed a decision on renewing military aid to Ukraine, with the current authorization due to end on December 31. Salvini has reportedly questioned if it was necessary given the new talks.
However, Meloni at the time insisted that “as long as there’s a war, we’ll do what we can, as we’ve always done to help Ukraine defend itself.”
On Monday, Zelensky met in London with the leaders of Britain, France and Germany before heading to Brussels for talks with the heads of the EU and of NATO.
“Ukraine’s sovereignty must be respected. Ukraine’s security must be guaranteed, in the long term, as a first line of defense for our Union,” European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said after Monday’s meeting.
French President Emmanuel Macron wrote on X after the London meeting that “we are preparing robust security guarantees and measures for Ukraine’s reconstruction.”
Macron said the “main issue” was finding “convergence” between the European-Ukrainian position and that of the United States.
Trump has blown hot and cold on Ukraine since returning to office in January, initially chastising Zelensky for not being grateful for US support.
But he was also frustrated that efforts to persuade Russian President Vladimir Putin to end the war had failed to produce results and he recently slapped sanctions on Russian oil firms.
Zelensky on Monday held talks with European leaders in London and Brussels as US President Donald Trump keeps up pressure on Kyiv for a settlement.
Trump has accused Zelensky of not even reading his administration’s initial proposals, which were judged by Ukraine’s allies to be overly favorable to Russia.
Zelensky said that Washington’s 28-point plan had been reduced to 20 points after US-Ukraine talks at the weekend.
Ukrainian and European officials “are going to work on these 20 points,” Zelensky told an online press conference on Monday.
“We do not like everything that our partners came back with. Although this issue is not so much with the Americans as with the Russians.
“But we will definitely work on it, and as I said, tomorrow evening (Tuesday) we will do everything to send our view on this to the US.”
Washington’s plan involved Ukraine surrendering land that Russia has not captured in return for security promises that fall short of Kyiv’s aspirations to join NATO.
Zelensky pointed to the land issue and international security guarantees as two of the main sticking points.
“Do we envision ceding territories? We have no legal right to do so, under Ukrainian law, our constitution and international law. And we don’t have any moral right either,” Zelensky said.
“The key is to know what our partners will be ready to do in the event of new aggression by Russia. At the moment, we have not received any answer to this question,” Zelensky said.
‘Robust security guarantees’
Zelensky met with Pope Leo at his country residence in Castel Gandolfo near Rome, and is to meet Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni later Tuesday.
Meloni has been a staunch supporter of Kyiv since Russia’s February 2022 invasion, although one of her coalition allies, Matteo Salvini’s League party, is more skeptical.
Rome has sent weapons to Ukraine but only for use inside the country. Meloni has also ruled out sending troops in a possible monitoring force proposed by Britain and France.
The Italian government last week postponed a decision on renewing military aid to Ukraine, with the current authorization due to end on December 31. Salvini has reportedly questioned if it was necessary given the new talks.
However, Meloni at the time insisted that “as long as there’s a war, we’ll do what we can, as we’ve always done to help Ukraine defend itself.”
On Monday, Zelensky met in London with the leaders of Britain, France and Germany before heading to Brussels for talks with the heads of the EU and of NATO.
“Ukraine’s sovereignty must be respected. Ukraine’s security must be guaranteed, in the long term, as a first line of defense for our Union,” European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said after Monday’s meeting.
French President Emmanuel Macron wrote on X after the London meeting that “we are preparing robust security guarantees and measures for Ukraine’s reconstruction.”
Macron said the “main issue” was finding “convergence” between the European-Ukrainian position and that of the United States.
Trump has blown hot and cold on Ukraine since returning to office in January, initially chastising Zelensky for not being grateful for US support.
But he was also frustrated that efforts to persuade Russian President Vladimir Putin to end the war had failed to produce results and he recently slapped sanctions on Russian oil firms.
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