ISLAMABAD: Foreign Minister of Ukraine, Dmytro Kuleba, will undertake an official visit to Islamabad tomorrow, Thursday, the Pakistani foreign office said on Wednesday.

Pakistan has not condemned Russia since it invaded Ukraine last year, though it has expressed concern about the war and called on China and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) to mediate the crisis.

“Kuleba will call on the Prime Minister and hold detailed talks with Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari,” FO said in a statement.

This is the first ever ministerial visit since the establishment of diplomatic ties between Pakistan and Ukraine in 1993.

“It is expected to contribute to further strengthening of bilateral ties between the two countries,” the FO said.

Then Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan was in Moscow to meet President Vladimir Putin the day Russian forces entered Ukraine on Feb. 24 last year. Both Khan’s administration, and the current administration of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, have expressed concern about the repercussions of the invasion but stopped short of condemning it. Khan also hit out at Islamabad-based Western envoys who last year urged Pakistan to condemn Russia’s actions in Ukraine. 

Pakistan has also abstained from a UN General Assembly vote that condemned Russia’s aggression against Ukraine.

“The dates of the visit of Ukrainian FM are 20-21 July 2023,” the foreign office said. 

“Kuleba will call on the Prime Minister and hold detailed talks with Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari.”