Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, Permanent Representative of Pakistan, addressed the UN Security Council at an emergency meeting on Ukraine held on 28 May 2026 at Ukraine's request. He began by thanking Secretary-General Guterres for his remarks and expressed full endorsement of the call for ending the tragic conflict through comprehensive diplomacy, in line with the UN Charter, while also noting the briefing by ASG Khiari. The statement arrives as the Council convenes for the third time in just over a week to debate a conflict now in its fifth year, with ongoing violence, massive destruction, and a humanitarian toll that has upended the lives and livelihoods of millions. Ahmad highlights the recent escalation and its far-reaching humanitarian consequences as deeply troubling, underscoring Pakistan’s commitment to international law, including International Humanitarian Law (IHL), and the obligation of all parties to adhere to these norms without exception. He stresses that protection of diplomatic compounds remains a fundamental obligation under customary and treaty law. The ambassador argues that this crisis reaffirms the imperative of pacific settlement and that meaningful dialogue and diplomacy are the only viable path to lasting peace and regional stability. He reiterates that military action cannot deliver durable peace and calls for an immediate and complete cessation of hostilities to create the necessary space for diplomacy to work toward an early end to the conflict. Pakistan has long favored dialogue and diplomacy, anchored in the purposes and principles of the UN Charter and a search for solutions that respect the legitimate security interests of all sides and multilateral agreements. Ahmad reiterates Pakistan’s hope that the United States–facilitated dialogue process can resume at the earliest opportunity. He notes Pakistan’s vote in favor of Resolution 2774 in February of the previous year and reaffirms Islamabad’s willingness to support all efforts aimed at a comprehensive, durable, and peaceful resolution, stressing that delay only deepens civilian suffering. In my assessment, Pakistan’s stance reinforces a timeless norm: diplomacy must take precedence over force, particularly when civilians bear the brunt of conflict. The emphasis on IHL, civilian protection, and humanitarian access is essential and should be the backbone of any peace initiative. However, for diplomacy to succeed, there must be credible guarantees, inclusive negotiations that address the security concerns of all parties, and a robust, verifiable ceasefire that international observers can monitor. While Pakistan’s advocacy for a US-facilitated process signals constructive international mediation, the broader challenge will be sustaining political will among all UN member states and ensuring that humanitarian corridors are established and maintained. In the current moment, a unified, rules-based approach—grounded in IHL, respect for civilian lives, and genuine commitment to a negotiated settlement—offers the best chance to avert further tragedy and chart a path toward a durable peace in Europe.
Source: Statement from @PakistanUN_NY
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Published: May 28, 2026, 6:28 pm
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