Pakistan has called for an immediate ceasefire and de-escalation in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict, stressing that “echoes for peace must be heard.”
Speaking at a UN Security Council meeting on Friday, Ambassador Usman Jadoon, Pakistan’s Deputy Permanent Representative, said peace in Ukraine is “long overdue” and cannot be delayed any longer.
Jadoon emphasized that continued violence only worsens human suffering and that diplomacy remains the only viable path forward. “Military escalation is a dead end,” he stated. “Only meaningful dialogue rooted in international law can lead to durable peace.”
He also warned that attacks on civilians and infrastructure are unjustifiable under any pretext. Pakistan reaffirmed its commitment to supporting international peace efforts and welcomed ongoing talks between Russia and Ukraine.
“Efforts like prisoner exchanges and meetings in Istanbul offer hope,” Jadoon noted, “but real progress depends on genuine political will and concrete steps toward de-escalation.”
UN officials at the briefing painted a dire picture of the situation. Miroslav Jenca, Assistant Secretary-General for Europe, reported that civilian casualties in Ukraine hit a three-year high in June, as Russian missile and drone strikes intensified.
Meanwhile, Joyce Msuya, UN Deputy Emergency Relief Coordinator, declared that “no place is safe” in Ukraine anymore. She noted that over 13 million people need aid, but limited funding restricts access. She also expressed alarm over Ukraine’s recent move to withdraw from the anti-landmine convention, further endangering civilian lives.
Pakistan concluded its statement by urging all sides to prioritize dialogue, diplomacy, and humanitarian protection, calling it the only way out of a prolonged and destructive war.