Islamabad, May 19, 2026: Russian Ambassador to Pakistan Albert P. Khorev on Tuesday expressed support for Pakistan’s mediatory role in the ongoing Iran-US conflict, saying Moscow backs all efforts aimed at achieving a peaceful resolution between Washington and Tehran.
Speaking at a press conference held at the Russian Embassy in Islamabad, Ambassador Albert P. Khorev said Russia supports Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts to help ease tensions between Iran and the United States.
He noted that Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov had also recently reiterated support for Pakistan’s role as a mediator in the dispute.
The envoy said Russia favors all initiatives that could contribute to a peaceful settlement while addressing the concerns of both sides.
During the media briefing, the ambassador also thanked Pakistan for supporting the 2005 United Nations resolution against Nazism, neo-Nazism, and the promotion of racism, which was backed by 119 countries.
Commenting on the Russia-Ukraine conflict, Ambassador Khorev said Pakistani media widely reports on losses suffered by Ukraine, while Russian casualties and infrastructure damage receive comparatively limited coverage.
He maintained that Russia would ultimately achieve its objectives in Ukraine and was prepared for all possible scenarios.
The ambassador described Victory Day, observed on May 9, as Russia’s most sacred national occasion, stating that the Soviet Union played a decisive role in defeating Nazi Germany during World War II.
However, he expressed concern over what he termed the desecration and demolition of monuments dedicated to those who fought against Nazism in several countries.
Referring to the Ukraine war, the envoy said Russia had announced and observed a ceasefire from May 8 to 11 on the occasion of Victory Day, but alleged that Ukrainian forces committed more than 30,000 violations during the period, citing the Russian Ministry of Defense.
He further alleged that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was unwilling to pursue peace and instead wanted the conflict to continue.
According to the ambassador, Ukraine’s Ombudsman’s 2025 report documented more than 6,000 complaints related to forced recruitment into the Ukrainian military.
Ambassador Khorev also claimed that foreign fighters from the United States, United Kingdom, France, Germany, Poland, and other NATO countries were fighting alongside Ukrainian forces.
He said European nations continue supporting Ukraine in an attempt to inflict what he described as a “strategic defeat” on Russia.
The Russian envoy additionally expressed reservations over the transfer of the historical artifacts known as “Scythian Gold” to Kyiv instead of Crimea, insisting that artifacts discovered in Crimea should be returned there.
Responding to a question regarding reports about recruitment for the Russian army in Pakistan, Ambassador Khorev said such reports could not be confirmed.
He stated that the reports contained contradictions and claimed that the individual allegedly recruited had never applied for a visa at the Russian Embassy.
The ambassador added that Pakistani authorities were investigating the matter and expressed hope that the findings would soon be made public.
