Tazeen Akhtar
Ambassador of Russian Federation to Pakistan Mr. Danila Ganich has said that substantial and tangible steps are required to pave the way of the visit of President Putin to Pakistan. Ukraine can never win from Russia. Crimea is part of Russia. Same is its future. The Donbas regions Donetsk, Luhensk etc are independent states. Use of nuclear weapon is not on the cards of Russia. Stupid politicians are promoting this narrative only to impact Russia negatively.
He said this in question and answer session of the discussion “diplomatic reflections” on the theme “Pakistan Russia Relations – Way Forward” hosted by Islamabad Policy Research Institute on 13 Sep 2023. The Ambassador was the guest in the discussion while a large number of former ambassadors, intellectuals, journalists attended the session. President IPRI, Ambassador R Dr. Raza Muhammad and Director Raashid Wali Janjua were also present.
To a question by this scribe that President Putin was due in 2010 and later the visit was cancelled. Since then the President has not visited Pakistan. Instead, Prime Minister of Pakistan Mr. Imran Khan was invited by Mr. Putin to Moscow where both had meeting at Kremlin. Regarding Russia Ukraine War, Pakistan has not termed it as Russian Aggression nor condemned as was the pressure from Europe and USA. May we expect that the President Putin can reciprocate now in shape of his visit to Pakistan?
Ambassador replied that ” I am not to decide anything on this high level visit. I will be honored if it happens. President Putin met with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif as well (at SCO Samarkand in Sep 2022). They discussed bilateral cooperation there. As long as, visit to Pakistan is concerned that needs more substantial and tangible steps between the two countries.”
Ambassador did not elaborated what substantial and tangible things are?
On Crimea, the Ambassador said that it belongs to Russia. Historical it was part of Russia. Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev gifted this peninsula to Ukraine in 1954. The Ambassador rejected the claim of Ukraine on Crimea.
Ambassador said that Ukraine is no match to Russia. They should understand it. They can not win even if every citizen of Ukraine is a war hero.
He was asked who do you think is the biggest and real terrorist organization in the region? The Ambassador answered at lighter note ” Had I knew, I would be Colonel Danila and not Ambassador Danila.”
Regarding TTP , he said , this is not an organization. We do not know the hierarchy of this group. Anyone can raise the flag of TTP.
H.E said that Russia wants a stable and terror free Afghanistan. Taliban are the winners there. We have relations on regional level. A first secretary is present on both sides.
Russia Pursues the Policy of Facilitating National Reconciliation & Settlement in Afghanistan
The Ambassador, regarding India USA alliance, said “India is not anyone’s pocket. India is in its own pocket. India can do whatever it needs for its own interests.
Earlier in his address, to the astonishment of the guests, Ambassador gave the impression that Russia is no more communist country. Russia is changed now. He said :
“Pakistani friends are surrounded by Western Media. They are in information vacuum. Pakistan is our partner. There is significant change in post communist Russia. We learn how to keep balance of relations with India and Pakistan. We have independent relations with Pakistan (without any influence of any third country). Two things bring us closer. First traditional values, like LGBT madness in the world. We both do not accept this political crackness. Definitely we need political consensus. If people come on streets in Moscow and same happens here, both are concerned. The west has invested more in Pakistan than Russia did that is why Pakistani people take more negative about Russia from western media.
“During Soviet Afghan War , the attitude of Pakistanis to Soviet was we were invaders. I am optimist we will come closer in future. We have excellent prospects. Our trade is modest at $700 Million in year. We can do more. We have excellent opportunities in economic sector. Presently we don’t have more opportunities. We have understanding on most of issues( in the region and at world level). PM Nawaz Sharif visited Russia in 1998, President Musharraf 2003, President Zardari in 2011, Prime Minister Imran Khan unfortunately on 24 Feb 2022 (Russia Ukraine start date), Ambassador noted.
Mr. Danila Ganich said, “We have excellent political relations. We supported Pakistan on initiative against Islamophobia. It was not freedom of expression. Russia values Pakistan’s contribution to countering terrorism. Pakistan suffering more with 80 thousand lives, different economic damage figures but I think 150 Billion Dollar losses.We have counter terrorism cooperation. We have exercises. Next Russian team will be in Pakistan for the exercise.”
He stressed that we all live in a very dangerous world. The West and Russia are playing chickens. Like two cars are racing to each other. I am pessimist (on Russia West Relations)but I hope common sense will prevail. We will have some kind of search for balance of interests.
