Despite Russia’s “legitimate" security concerns, its aggression against a smaller country can’t be condoned, Pakistan Army Chief General Qamar Javad Bajwa said on Saturday, terming it “very unfortunate” and “a huge tragedy”.  The remarks, which came on Saturday during his speech on the second day of the Islamabad Security Dialogue, are significant as this is the first time that a senior Pakistani official has criticised Moscow’s actions in Ukraine.   

Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan was in Moscow for talks with President Vladimir Putin even as Russia was launching its invasion of Ukraine. Khan has been criticised by the United States and European countries for trying to get close to Russia at a time when its action had come under global condemnation. 

“Pakistan is deeply concerned about the conflict in Ukraine…..Sadly, the Russian invasion of Ukraine is very unfortunate,” General Bajwa said, adding, “This is a huge tragedy which must be stopped immediately. Despite legitimate security concerns of Russia, its aggression against the smaller country can’t be condoned.” 

Bajwa said his country doesn’t believe in power politics and enjoys excellent relations with China, the US, and Europe. The statement came at a time when Pakistan and the United States' ties came under significant strain, mostly due to persistent public criticism of the US by PM Imran Khan whose grip on power has loosened in the face of the no-confidence motion moved by opposition parties. 

“We share a long and excellent strategic relationship with the US, which remains our largest export market,” he said, adding that Islamabad's ties with China and the US don’t come at the expense of each other. Ties with the UK and the European Union are equally important for our national interests, he added. 

In his speech, Bajwa also said the world has been witnessing an unprecedented return to big power contestation, a situation, he said, is affecting the economies of developing countries. 

(SAM)