Ukraine committed to peace: Ambassador Markian Chuchuk

Poland’s Ambassador Maciej Pisarski says Russia violating international law

Celina Ali

Islamabad: Markian Chuchuk, Ukraine’s Ambassador to Pakistan, said on Monday that Ukraine remains open to peace talks on an equal footing and continues to be committed to global stability.

At an event held in Islamabad, he reflected on Ukraine’s observance of the third anniversary of Russia’s “unprovoked invasion.” The event was organized by the Embassy of Poland and co-sponsored by the Embassies of the Czech Republic, France, Germany, and the European Union Delegation, and served as a somber reminder of the ongoing war’s devastating effects.

Ambassador Chuchuk began by acknowledging the immense suffering Ukraine has endured since the conflict began, highlighting the deep pain caused by the loss of countless lives, including soldiers, civilians, and children. With around 15 million Ukrainians displaced and more than a million casualties on both sides, the humanitarian cost of Russia’s aggression continues to rise.

Despite the overwhelming challenges, Ukraine has managed to retain control over 82% of its territory, demonstrating the country’s resilience and the vital support it has received from the international community.

“Ukraine has stood strong,” Chuchuk declared, adding, “We’ve resisted a powerful nation, despite its overwhelming resources, including nuclear weapons. We are determined to protect our homeland, but the toll has been devastating. Our cities are daily targets for Russian drone, missile, and airstrikes, which obliterate our infrastructure and cause immense suffering, especially for our children.”

The Ambassador emphasized the horrific consequences of Russia’s occupation of Ukrainian territories, where civilians face forced relocations, persecution, and egregious war crimes. He also pointed out the abduction of children, who are either forced into Russia or subjected to abuse, which led to Ukraine’s formation of the International Coalition for the Return of Ukrainian Children. The coalition has successfully repatriated over 1,000 children so far.

Chuchuk also criticized Russia’s disinformation campaign, which continues to cloud the truth. He rejected Russia’s claims of NATO threats and the protection of Russian-speaking Ukrainians, asserting that the real motivation behind the war is Russian imperialism. “Moscow’s ultimate goal is to erase Ukrainian national identity,” Chuchuk asserted.

Despite the immense devastation caused by the war, Ukraine remains an important player in global food security. Through its “Grain from Ukraine” initiative, the country has provided over 286,000 tons of agricultural goods to 13 nations in Africa and Asia, feeding over 20 million people. This underscores Ukraine’s unwavering commitment to global peace and stability, even amidst the conflict.

Ambassador Chuchuk called on the international community to maintain its solidarity with Ukraine, warning that abandoning the country would not lead to peace but rather embolden Russia and extend the suffering. He stressed the importance of supporting President Zelenskyy’s Peace Formula, which offers a feasible framework for ending the war.

Any peace agreement, Chuchuk emphasized, must be based on the principles of the U.N. Charter and ensure Ukraine’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, and security. “No decisions about Ukraine without Ukraine,” he firmly stated.

Earlier, Ambassador Maciej Pisarski of Poland, speaking on behalf of the European Union’s rotating presidency, condemned Russia’s actions, which he said violated international law and undermined peace and security in Europe. He recognized Ukraine’s remarkable resilience in defending its sovereignty despite the enormous challenges.

“We deeply appreciate Ambassador Markian Chuchuk’s unwavering leadership and commitment to his country’s freedom, which serves as a beacon of hope and courage,” Pisarski remarked, offering sincere gratitude to the Ukrainian delegation. He reaffirmed that the European Union, led by Poland, would continue to provide humanitarian assistance, welcome refugees, and supply military support to help bolster Ukraine’s defense.

Pisarski reiterated that the EU’s commitment to Ukraine would not waver, emphasizing that the only path forward was a just, lasting peace that would preserve Ukraine’s territorial integrity and prevent further aggression. “Nothing about Ukraine without Ukraine,” he insisted, highlighting that any peace talks must include the voices of the Ukrainian people. He also cautioned against appeasing aggressors, recalling historical lessons, and underscored that European security cannot be determined without the active involvement of all European countries.

A poignant moment of the evening was the screening of a documentary that highlighted the personal experiences of those affected by the ongoing war. The film focused on the resilience of the Ukrainian people, their yearning for peace, and their struggle to preserve their freedom.

The event concluded with a reaffirmation of the European Union’s support for Ukraine’s future integration into the EU, a vision that the ambassadors believe is crucial not only for Ukraine’s future but for Europe’s long-term stability and prosperity.

“The lessons of history are clear,” Pisarski said. “No power is invincible. Ukraine’s perseverance is proof that with unity and determination, we can overcome aggression. We will continue to stand by Ukraine—for their freedom and for our own.”

The evening’s cultural program included the “Culture vs. War” project, which featured the documentary Culture vs. War: Kostiantyn and Vlada Liberov and a photo exhibition by photographers Kostiantyn and Vlada Liberov and Serhii Mykhalchuk. These works provided an intimate, human perspective on the war, emphasizing the cultural and emotional toll it has taken.

British High Commissioners Jane Marriot, French Ambassador Nicolas Galey, Denmark’s ambassador Jakob Linulf, Bulgarian ambassador Irena Gancheva, Ambassador of Finland Hannu Ripatti, German Ambassador Alfred Grannas and Sweden’s ambassador Alexandra Berg von Linde among others participated in the event.