Pakistan pushes for diplomacy, citing dialogue as only way to end Russo-Ukrainian war

UNITED NATIONS, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 20th May, 2026) Voicing deep concern over the escalating Russo-Ukrainian war, now in its 5th year, Pakistan has underscored that dialogue between Kyiv and Moscow was the "sole path" towards lasting peace in Ukraine.

"We urge both sides to prioritize diplomacy, exercise genuine political will, and engage constructively and meaningfully toward a just and lasting mutually acceptable settlement – respecting legitimate security interests of all sides, the UN Charter, international law, and relevant multilateral agreements," Ambassador Usman Jadoon, deputy permanent representative of Pakistan to the United Nations, told the UN Security Council, which debated the deteriorating situation in Ukraine on Tuesday.

The conflict began when Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, arguing it was a "special military operation" for Ukraine's "demilitarization", protecting Russian speaking people from "genocide," and preventing NATO expansion.

"We are deeply perturbed by the continuation of hostilities, and deplore the reports regarding recent escalation in attacks, worsening the dire humanitarian situation in the region," the Pakistani envoy said, adding that such actions only serve to prolong the conflict, erode trust, and undermine pathway to peace.

Highlighting the plight of civilians amid the ongoing hostilities, he reiterated Pakistan's principled position that protecting civilians, humanitarian personnel and civilian infrastructure is a fundamental legal obligation under International Humanitarian Law (IHL), which must be upheld by all parties.

Noting announcements regarding temporary ceasefires, including the latest one this month, Ambassador Jadoon commended these initiatives, and those related to the exchange of Prisoners of War from both sides and the return of the remains of deceased servicemen. "We see these efforts as enablers and confidence-building measures which need to be sustained for creating the conditions necessary for bringing about a complete cessation of hostilities and achieving lasting peace."

He hoped that both parties, facilitated by the U.S., would resume the dialogue process at an early date with a view to bringing this long-drawn conflict to an end.

Towards that end, Ambassador Jadoon said Pakistan will continue to support all efforts aimed at a comprehensive, durable and peaceful resolution of the conflict.

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At the outset, Kayoko Gotoh, Director and Officer-in-Charge for Europe, Central Asia and the Americas in the UN Departments of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs and Peace Operations, said the war in Ukraine is “becoming deadlier by the day”.

Between 13 and 14 May, Moscow reportedly launched more than 1,500 drones and dozens of missiles across Ukraine, she said, noting that the deadliest incident occurred on the latter day when a missile reportedly flattened a nine-story apartment in Kyiv’s Darnytskyi District. That killed 24 people, including three girls and injured at least 48 others.

“We strongly condemn all attacks against civilians,” Ms.Gohtoh stressed. In April alone, she continued, at least 238 civilians were killed and 1,404 injured — the highest monthly toll since July 2025. She further expressed alarm over two drone-related incidents involving clearly marked United Nations vehicles in Kherson and Dnipropetrovsk, stressing that “civilians — including humanitarian relief personnel — as well as civilian objects must be protected at all times”.

While the UN Secretary-General welcomed the 9 to 11 May ceasefire and the agreed exchange of 2,000 prisoners of war — with 205 already returned — Ms. Gohtoh expressed regret over reported violations on both sides. She urged the parties to move towards a full, immediate and unconditional ceasefire, stressing that dialogue grounded in international law remains the only way to achieve lasting peace.

“The rules of war are binding on all parties to armed conflict and aim to limit human suffering and spare those who are not fighting,” said Edem Wosornu, Director of the Crisis Response Division in the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, who also briefed the Council.

About the two separate UN aid convoys — both clearly marked — coming under repeated attack, she said: “These brazen incidents are not isolated.” She noted that a World food Programme (WFP) truck was struck in Dnipro on 12 May and a World Central Kitchen van delivering meals to civilians was hit on 14 May, alongside attacks on other non-governmental aid groups. “These attacks are intensifying, making the delivery of humanitarian assistance increasingly difficult — if not impossible — in some areas,” Ms Wosornu reported.

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