Islamabad, October 1,2026: Russian Ambassador to Pakistan Albert P. Khorev has said that Moscow remains committed to a political and diplomatic settlement of the Ukraine crisis and is ready to continue the negotiating process while safeguarding Russia’s national interests.
Addressing a briefing on the situation in and around Ukraine in Islamabad on October 1, the Russian envoy said Russia had initiated efforts to resume negotiations last year after the process was halted by Kyiv and remained open to continuing the dialogue.
Ambassador Khorev accused Ukraine and its Western supporters of waging what he described as a “full-scale hybrid war” against Russia through military, economic, legal and information measures. He claimed that Western military assistance to Ukraine exceeded $160 billion between 2022 and 2025.
He said NATO countries were providing intelligence and communications support to Ukraine and assisting in the planning and use of weapons supplied to Kyiv. According to Russian estimates cited by the ambassador, Western-supplied weapons had caused approximately $13.6 billion in damage to Russian infrastructure.
Khorev criticized Western sanctions against Russia, saying they had affected not only the Russian economy but also European and developing economies. He said the restrictions had disrupted international logistics and limited access to energy, goods, finance and technology.
The ambassador said the sanctions had also contributed to the development of alternative financial and trade mechanisms and increased the use of national currencies in international transactions within frameworks such as BRICS, the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation and ASEAN.
The Russian envoy also expressed concern over the security situation in the Black Sea and Sea of Azov, alleging an increase in attacks on civilian vessels. He claimed that more than 200 vessels had been affected during the current year, including 96 sailing under foreign flags.
Khorev warned that continued tensions in the Black Sea could pose risks to global food and energy security. He noted that, according to figures cited by Russia, Ukraine accounts for around seven percent of global wheat exports, compared with approximately 23 percent for Russia.
During the briefing, an exhibition titled “Crimean Gold: ‘Civilized’ Europe Plunders Russian Treasures” was also presented. Khorev said archaeological artifacts discovered in Crimea should be returned to Crimean museums, criticizing the decision by Dutch authorities to hand the collection to Ukrainian authorities following its exhibition in Amsterdam.
The ambassador also referred to a June 15 ruling by the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague concerning maritime rights in and around Crimea, the Kerch Strait and the Sea of Azov, presenting the decision as significant for Russia’s position in the dispute.
Khorev expressed concern over what he described as pressure on the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, alleging restrictions on religious freedoms and legal pressure against clergy and believers.
He also disputed figures circulating internationally regarding Ukrainian children allegedly taken to Russia, calling for greater reliance on verifiable information concerning the issue.
Addressing concerns in Europe over possible Russian aggression against European Union and NATO countries, the Russian ambassador said President Vladimir Putin and Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov had repeatedly stated that Russia was not preparing for military action against Europe.
Khorev said Moscow had neither plans nor motivation to escalate tensions with European countries and reiterated that Russia remained open to a political and diplomatic settlement of the Ukraine crisis.
At the beginning of the briefing, the ambassador also paid tribute to the victims of the 872-day Siege of Leningrad and observed a minute of silence in their memory.
