Second anniversary of the Russian aggression against Ukraine.
1. We mark second anniversary of the Russian, unprovoked and illegal invasion against
Ukraine. Every day during these two years we have seen enormous suffering of innocent
civilians, including children, who have been deprived of basic human right to live in peace. We
have witnessed massive destruction of homes, hospitals, schools and infrastructure aimed at
magnifying cruelty and braking the spirit of the resistance.
2. We have also seen immense resistance of the Ukrainian armed forces and the
population in repelling the invaders very often at the ultimate price of their life. The sacrifice of
the Ukrainian people brought freedom its true meaning.
3. We are well aware that other conflicts have captured the attention of the public opinion
and world’s media today. Magnitude of human suffering, including death of innocent children,
in the Middle East has been heartbreaking. There is a pressing necessity to address a tragic
humanitarian situation in Gaza. Escalation and spilling over of the conflict in the region must be
prevented and a renewed, credible political process aimed at the implementation of the two
state solution must be put in motion. However, no cause or grievance can justify kidnappings
of the civilians, terror and violence. Pakistan who has suffered from such tragedies knows it
way too well. There important reasons that the world’s attention has been directed to this
conflict and humanitarian crisis.
4. But we must not forget about Ukraine as well. The war there has been dragging for far
too long, longer than many expected at its outset. It is natural human condition to adapt and go
on with their life, especially if the war does not affect us directly. But we should resist the
temptation of getting tired or becoming distracted. We should not get weary and lose sight of
what it is at stake in that war.
5. This is exactly what the invaders and aggressors have been counting on. This has been
their strategy to wear the defenders and those who help them down, to make them tired; to
make the world forget or get confused so they can achieve their nefarious goals. We should be
crystal clear that there is a dictator in Europe who – by brutal force, deception and
disinformation – has been trying to subjugate and conquer Ukraine; who wants to weaken and
divide us and our institutions; who has put at risk energy and food security of the developing
countries in the pursue of his neo-colonial and imperialistic aspirations. We must not allow him
to succeed. Therefore, we must continue to help Ukraine to defend its sovereignty, territorial
integrity and the right to choose its path for the future free from bulling and fear.
Ladies and gentlemen ,
6. This Embassy has been trying to assist our Ukrainian friends in communicating the
truthful meaning and understanding of their fight against the Russian aggression. We have
collaborated with other like-minded partners. I am grateful to H.E. Markiian Chuchuk and his
wonderful team for letting us be partners in putting this meeting together. We admire your
hard work and dedication!
7. I am truly honored to acknowledge that this meeting is also a result of cooperation
between countries who form the Weimar Triangle: France, Germany and Poland. The Weimar
format was founded in 1991 with an intention to overcome divisions of the Cold War era and
support Poland’s integration with the European and Euro-Atlantic institutions. It comprise of
countries which overcome historical divisions and conflicts in order to build their future in a
common European home. We believe that through consultations and dialog we can contribute
to the strengthening the European integration in the face of new, global and regional
challenges. On February 12 the foreign ministers of France, Germany and Poland met in the
French town of La Cell-Saint-Cloud to reinvigorate the Weimar Triangle. One of our priorities
is to help Ukraine facing the Russian aggression as long as necessary. Our ministers also pledged
that they would meet in an extended format, which includes Ukraine in the future. I am happy
that we have been able to bring that spirit of Weimar cooperation here to Islamabad.