On Wednesday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky spoke with Pakistani President Arif Alvi to stress the importance of territorial integrity and sovereignty and abiding by the UN charter.
Meanwhile, a Ukrainian official spoke with Indian National Security Adviser (NSA) Ajit Kumar Doval to secure New Delhi’s support in the upcoming UN General Assembly (UNGA) vote on the Ukraine war.
Call with Alvi
In addition to highlighting the importance of international principles of territorial integrity and sovereignty, Zelensky further stressed Kyiv’s commitment to “continue being a guarantor of world food security.”
Had a phone call with 🇵🇰 President @ArifAlvi. We noted the importance of the principles of territorial integrity & sovereignty of states, respect for 🇺🇳 Charter. Paid special attention to 🇺🇦 Grain Initiative. Ukraine is ready to continue being a guarantor of world food security.
— Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) February 22, 2023
During the call, he reiterated Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba’s call for Pakistan to support Ukraine’s Peace Formula.
Call for India’s Support
To secure support for the UNGA vote scheduled for February 23, Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Andriy Yermak spoke with Indian NSA Doval on Tuesday. He raised alarm about the current situation of Russia’s invasion, highlighting the difficulty faced by Ukrainian forces in Donetsk.
He further outlined the importance of support from the Global South in the UNGA vote. In particular, he said, “Cooperation with India is very important to us. We believe that you will support our resolution, as it contains very correct wording on the inviolability of borders and territorial integrity.”
Had a call with 🇮🇳 PM's NSA Ajit Kumar Doval. Briefed him on the current situation at the frontlines.
— Andriy Yermak (@AndriyYermak) February 21, 2023
Cooperation with India is very important for us. pic.twitter.com/9oGKrbDYnU
Yermak added that the UNGA vote was highly critical for establishing a “new effective security system” to curb any future attempts to violate the territorial integrity of a state.
The official also informed Doval that even as Ukraine battles Russian forces, it is open to committing to the ten-point Peace Formula to end the war sustainably and justly. He noted that Ukraine does not seek to capture Russian territory, but wishes to regain control over its own.
He further mentioned that Ukraine has information indicating Russia’s plan of “offensive actions.” He went on to say that while the “brave” and “resilient” Ukrainian forces were ready to respond to the “very unmotivated” Russian forces, Kyiv needed weapons.
The UN vote in March about Russia’s invasion (left) of Ukraine and the UN vote in October (right) about Putin annexing Ukrainian land and people - shows how little opinion has shifted over 8 months of war. pic.twitter.com/1ypBaZKmrE
— Charlie Robertson (@RencapMan) October 13, 2022
History of Voting
In the past, India and Pakistan have sought to maintain a neutral position on the Ukraine war, notably abstaining from voting against Russia at the UN.
For instance, in October 2022, India and Pakistan, as well as 33 other member nations, abstained from voting on a UNGA draft resolution condemning Russia’s annexation of several territories in eastern Ukraine.