European Union (EU) Ambassador to Pakistan Dr. Riina Kionka stated on Tuesday that Pakistan has been helping Ukraine in its protracted conflict with Russia by sending military and humanitarian aid.
In an exclusive interview with local media, Dr. Kionka expressed his viewpoint that Pakistan is in a very tough situation since the conflict is having an impact not only on Europe but also on the rest of the developing world, including Pakistan, in the form of rising inflation and gasoline prices.
The Ukraine war, which was followed by the COVID-19 outbreak, has reduced the availability of wheat, driving up the price of wheat as a result. Also, it caused petroleum costs to skyrocket, which Pakistan pays dearly for.
The EU envoy remarked “Pakistan’s history and viewpoint are unique. On one hand, Pakistan provided both humanitarian aid and military support to Ukraine. On the other hand, it seems like business as usual in politics.”
Dr. Kionka added that “Pakistan imported 39% of its wheat from Ukraine before the war,” which helps to explain the trips and ongoing communication.
She went on to say that it was apparent that Pakistan will feel the effects and urged them to “find alternative routes for their wheat supplies.”
The ambassador further emphasized the EU’s involvement in the conflict by declaring that “even after a year of the ongoing war in Ukraine, the EU’s view is clear on the topic.”
The statement follows Foreign Office (FO) spokesman Mumtaz Zahra Balchin’s erroneous criticism of the news on Pakistan’s shipment of armaments to Ukraine during her weekly press briefing on February 16.
She had firmly stated that the reporting concerning Pakistan supplying Ukraine with defense goods is not accurate.
