Raimundas Karoblis, Ambassador of European Union in Pakistan
Remarks @ “Solidarity with Ukraine “Event @ Embassy of Poland, Islamabad, 11 February 2026
I am honoured to address you today on behalf of Team Europe at the “Solidarity with Ukraine” event held at the Embassy of Poland. I extend my gratitude to Ambassador Maciej Pisarski and his team for hosting this important function.
Our gathering here is a proof of our shared commitment to foster peace and cooperation. These principles have been central to the European project since its inception. They are as relevant as ever, especially in light of the formidable security challenges we are facing today—challenges on a scale not seen since the days of the Cold War.
Four years ago, the unprovoked and brutal invasion of Ukraine by Russia represented a seismic shift that has shattered our assumptions regarding peace in Europe.
This is not merely a conflict on our doorstep; it is a direct challenge to the core principles underpinning the international order and the UN Charter: sovereignty, territorial integrity, and the peaceful settlement of disputes.
In response to Russia’s brutal aggression, the European Union has adeptly combined diplomacy, sanctions, humanitarian assistance and military support, ensuring Ukraine’s right to defend itself.
Ukraine and its people have demonstrated great resilience and a commitment to a just and lasting peace, grounded in security, sovereignty, and prosperity. The European Union stands fully behind Ukraine and is actively contributing to the US-led peace efforts, notwithstanding President Putin’s obvious reluctance to make peace.
In fact, in the last months Russia has taken a clear path of escalation: adhering to maximalist positions, increasing its attacks against civilians across Ukraine, mercilessly attacking energy and transport infrastructure during harsh winter conditions leaving millions without any heating in the coldest winter since the start of the war.
For this reason, the international community, including Pakistan, must work together to keep the pressure on Russia so that it engages meaningfully and credibly in efforts to end the aggression that it started.
On our part, we are determined to continue supporting Ukraine, so that it is in the strongest position possible – before, during and after any ceasefire. What is more, we are stepping up pressure on Russia with strong economic measures and sanctions.
In this context, it is essential to reduce Russia’s capacity to finance its war, which to a large extent relies on the revenue earned from oil and gas sales.
Let me emphasise that the EU has reduced by 90% energy imports from Russia and we are looking at further measures over the next year, notably a complete LNG import ban.
We have also introduced an import ban on refined petroleum products derived from Russian crude processed in third countries.
While we do not question Pakistan’s right to commercial relationship with Russia, we need Pakistan to support us to substantially reduce Russia’s capacity to generate oil revenues to fuel its war machine.
Against the backdrop of Russia’s ongoing aggression against Ukraine, let me draw your attention to the fallout from the conflict on Europe’s security. We are currently battling hybrid threats — cyberattacks, disinformation, interference in democratic processes, recurring encroachments and provocations in the airspace and the weaponisation of energy and supply chains.
In addition, we are witnessing growing risks of conventional attacks against Europe and EU members, which have not been seen since the Cold War era.
These challenges blur the line between war and peace, demanding resilience from us. Therefore, we are sparing no effort to bolster our defences, defence capabilities, diversify energy sources, strengthen our cyber capabilities, safeguard our democratic institutions and forge closer cooperation with international partners.
We greatly value Pakistan’s role in promoting regional stability, peacekeeping, counterterrorism, multilateralism, and climate resilience.
We expect that Pakistan will stay strong promoting multilateralism, rule of law, the principles of the UN Charter, in particular bearing in mind its role as a non-permanent member of the Security Council of the United Nations and as a member of the UN Human Rights Council. The EU remains steadfast in strengthening its partnership with Pakistan.
Therefore, our unity and determination, together with the international community, including Pakistan, are vital in maintaining pressure on Russia to compel it to engage meaningfully in efforts to end the aggression they initiated.
Ukraine faces brutal, unprovoked aggression from Putin’s Russia. Tens of thousands are dead, and many more are wounded, both military and civilian. Millions of people suffer, and countless lives are destroyed. Ukrainians defend their state and land.
At the same time, they defend values, the rule of law, and the multilateral order. They defend Europe. We must help Ukraine. We are helping significantly, but we should ask ourselves whether we are doing enough and what more we can do.
Let us stand united with Ukraine and enhance our efforts to create a more resilient, peaceful, and secure future—for Ukraine and for all of us.
