Tazeen Akhtar
The Embassy of Poland in Islamabad in collaboration with the Embassies of EU, Germany, France, Czech Republic hosted the Third consecutive “Ukraine Solidarity Day” at the residence on 24 Feb 2025 with Embassy of Ukraine on board. Ambassadors of EU and other states were also present to express their support for Ukraine and peace.
Ambassador of Poland , H.E Maciej Pisarski welcomes the guests from the stage while Ambassador of Ukraine, H.E. Markiian Chuchuk was also present along with the host. High Commissinoer of United Kingdom Jane Marriott also attended the event.
Ambassadors of France H.E. Nicolas Galey, Germany H.E. Alfred Grannas and the European Union, H.E. Riina Kionka, represented by CDA Mr. Phillip Gross, Czech Republic H.E Ladislav Steinhubel collaborated with Embassy of Poland to hold this event that proved to be the first combined expression of solidarity with Ukraine from EU + UK after President Trump of USA stepped back from the conflict. The organizers succeeded in conveying that Ukraine is not alone and EU has no Ukrainian Fatigue whatsoever.
Ambassadors of Austria, Belgium, Bosnia,Bangladesh Bulgaria,Denmark,Finland, Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Spain were among the prominent guests. An exhibition of photographs by Kostiantyn and Vlada Liberov and Serhii Mykhalchuk depicting the plight of Ukrainian citizens due to the war was also organized where rare pictures of destruction and human miseries was displayed. These are real stories that give more insight into the cultural aspects of the war.
A documentary from Ukraine Embassy “Culture vs War” dedicated to the third year of Russia’s war against Ukraine was screened in which a couple of photographers Kostiantyn and Vlada Liberov narrated their stories of working in the war fields having live photographs of collapsed infrastructure, dead bodies and other tragic incidents they came across during their camera work.
Poland is currently holding the rotating Presidency of the Council of the European Union. But hosting the solidarity event was not for that reason only because Poland is hosting the same event for last three years since when the war started as the Ambassador said that three years ago the Russian Federation launched an unprovoked and illegal aggression against its neighbor.
Ambassador of Poland , H.E Maciej Pisarski, in his welcome address said, ” Russian leaders violated fundamental principles of the international law and order, those they have a special obligation to protect as a permanent member of the UN Security Council. They destroyed peace in Europe, endangered food and energy security for the rest, especially those in the developing world.”
He said, ” Three long years of Russia’s full scale invasion of Ukraine have passed;
years of countless deaths, destruction, plundering and terror with a stamp:
“from Russia with hate” on them.”
Mr. Pisarski noted , “Contrary to the Kremlin’s propaganda, our Ukrainian brothers and sisters have proven that there is a Ukrainian state determined and capable of repelling the aggressors. We understood that not only did the Ukrainian people stand for their freedom but they also protected ours.We have stand with Ukraine because we cherish values, which underpin humanity, peace and equal rights for all nations.”
Ambassador Poland spoke in the background of recent developments between USA and Russia and made it clear on all that EU will not compromise on its security. He said , “We have painfully learned that appeasing the aggressors can only embolden them. Rewarding land grab and annexation will only lead to escalation of demands and excluding those – who are directly affected – from a negotiating table is not only unjust but also unsustainable.”
“Ukrainian sovereignty and the will of its people cannot be compromised in the negotiations.
We will not recognized occupied Ukrainian’s territory as a part of Russia. Nothing can be decided about European security, European future without an active participation of the European countries. Nothing about Europe without Europe, Ambassador Pisarski continued.
(Solidarity with Ukraine at Embassy of European Union in Islamabad )
On EU membership for Ukraine, Mr. Pisarski announced the status of a candidate while
Ukraine sees its future as a part of EU integration project. “The EU leaders took a deliberate decision to offer Ukraine the status of a candidate, which expresses our desire to welcome Ukraine as a full member of our Union one day. The Union’s resolve is steadfast and strategic.
It is not going to change in the current evolving international context, Ambassador Poland emphasized.
Ambassador of Ukraine, H.E. Mr. Markian Chuchuk, in his speech, shed light on the issue as a somber milestone when three years have passed since Russia launched its unprovoked and illegal war against Ukraine—a brutal, bloody conflict that has tested the resilience of the Ukrainian people but has failed to break them.
He shared that these three years have brought immense hardship to Ukraine. Countless lives have been lost or shattered—soldiers, civilians, women, and children alike. Families have been separated, communities destroyed, and approximately 15 million Ukrainians have been displaced as refugees or IDPs.
Estimates suggest over one million military personnel from both sides of the frontline have been killed or wounded, though precise figures remain uncertain.
“Despite all this, Ukraine has stood strong. We’ve fought back against a powerful nation with huge resources, including nuclear weapons. We retain control over 82% of our territory—a testament to the courage of our citizens and the invaluable support of the international community, Ambassador Ukraine proudly noted.
He said, our children bear the heaviest burden. Hundreds have been killed or injured. Many others have suffered abduction, abuse, or forced relocation to Russia. These grave offenses demand accountability. In response, Ukraine, alongside 41 nations and the Council of Europe, has established the International Coalition for the Return of Ukrainian Children. Together, we have successfully brought back home over 1,000 children—a small but meaningful step forward.
Ambassador of Ukraine, H.E. Mr. Markian Chuchuk said,”Russia propagates two primary falsehoods to justify this war. First, it claims the invasion was necessary to prevent Ukraine from joining NATO. This assertion is baseless. Ukraine has never been invited to join NATO. It has never had candidate status or implemented any plans for membership. Until 2014, the majority of Ukrainians did not support NATO membership. In fact, Russian aggression has brought us—and countries like Finland and Sweden—closer to the Alliance. Not the other way round.”
“Second, Russia claims it aims to protect Russian-speaking Ukrainians from alleged discrimination, which has never occurred. In fact, its devastating attacks have killed thousands of Russian-speaking Ukrainians and displaced millions more. If Russia genuinely cared about their lives and well-being, would it inflict such immense suffering? Its actions sharply contradict its political rhetoric, exposing the inconsistency with its stated intentions.”
Approximately 400 million people depend on Ukrainian food exports. By disrupting these supplies, Russia has endangered at least 70 million with hunger. Despite this, Ukraine remains a steadfast contributor to global food security.
Through President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s “Grain from Ukraine” initiative, we have delivered over 286,000 tons of agricultural goods to 13 nations in Africa and Asia, supporting 20 million people. Additionally, we have provided 1,000 tons of wheat flour to Palestine and 500 tons to Syria, demonstrating our commitment to assisting those in need.
He said we welcome any constructive peace initiative, provided they adhere to two principles:
1. No decisions regarding Ukraine shall be made without Ukraine’s involvement.
2. Full adherence to the U.N. Charter, respecting Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Thus far, Russia has shown no willingness to pursue peace based on international law. Consequently, a just peace cannot arise from concessions to the aggressor but from compelling the aggressor to relent to collective strength.
Ambassador said, “We also look forward to Pakistan’s support. Its voice matters! Dear Pakistani friends, your support for peace in Ukraine is in line with your obligations under international standards and your national interest.”
The outcome of this war will shape global security, defining the boundary between the power of law and the right of force. United, we can secure peace—not just for Ukraine, but for all nations striving for a safer, more stable world.
