Greek PM Mitsotakis tells Zelensky ready to provide help to Ukraine

 

Greece‘s Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis called Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky on Saturday, saying Greece had favoured the harshest European Union sanctions against Russia after its attack and stood ready to provide assistance.

Greece’s health ministry is sending medicines and medical supplies to Ukraine, Mitsotakis’ office said.

Greece‘s embassy staff and its ambassador in Kyiv, who left the city on Friday by car on safety concerns, had safely passed the Moldavian border, the ambassador himself and foreign ministry officials said.

Consulates in Mariupol and Odessa will remain open to assist Greek citizens and expatriates, they added.

Russian forces pounded Ukrainian cities including the capital Kyiv with artillery and cruise missiles on Saturday for the third day running.

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Courtesy Anews

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Azerbaijan remembers the victims of Khojaly massacre

 

ISLAMABAD: February 26, 2022, marks the 30th anniversary of the Khojaly genocide committed by the armed forces of Armenia during the Armenian aggression against Azerbaijan.

One of the gravest crimes committed against the civilian population during the decades of Armenian aggression against Azerbaijan, and the most tragic page of the First Karabakh War, was the destruction of the city of Khojaly and the genocide of its inhabitants. Before the conflict, Khojaly, located in the Karabakh region of Azerbaijan, was a home to over 7,000 people: men, women, children, families.

From October 1991, the town was surrounded by the armed forces of Armenia. Overnight, on 25th February 1992, following massive artillery bombardment of Khojaly, the armed forces of Armenia, with the help of the former USSR infantry guards regiment No.366 of which the Armenians constituted the majority, forcibly seized control of Khojaly. 

Invaders destroyed the city and, with particular brutality, brought violence to its peaceful population.

5,379 inhabitants of the city were forcefully expelled. 613 people, including 63 children, 106 women and 70 elderly citizens, were brutally murdered. 1,275 were captured and taken hostage and were tortured, and 487 were injured. 

The fate of 150 of those captured, including 68 women and 26 children, remains unknown to this day. 

The actions of the armed forces of Armenia tore families apart. Eight families were left with no survivors to speak of. 130 children lost a parent, with a further 25 children left with no surviving parent at all.

The indiscriminate killings of civilians at Khojaly stemmed from a policy of ethnic hatred and racial discrimination against Azerbaijanis at the state level in Armenia. It led to the killing of innocent people based simply on their ethnicity. 

The crimes committed at Khojaly were an integral part of Armenia's policy of systematic violence against Azerbaijanis.

The Khojaly massacre and other crimes committed by Armenia in the course of its aggression against the Republic of Azerbaijan, including war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide, constitute serious violations of international humanitarian and human rights law. 

These include violations of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide; the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment; the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination and others.

So far, the national legislative bodies of 17 countries, as well as 24 States of the USA, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation and the Organization of Turkic States have adopted a number of resolutions and decisions condemning the massacre of civilians in Khojaly and characterizing it as a crime against humanity and an act of genocide.

In its judgment of 22 April 2010, the European Court of Human Rights arrived at an important conclusion with respect to the crimes committed in Khojaly, denouncing the behavior of those carrying out the atrocities as “acts of particular gravity which may amount to war crimes or crimes against humanity”.

Under international law, States have a responsibility to investigate atrocities such as those committed by Armenian forces at Khojaly and prosecute the perpetrators. 

However, to date none of those responsible for the crimes committed at Khojaly have been prosecuted by Armenia.

In a telling admission of culpability, Armenia’s then Defence Minister and ex-President, SerzhSargsyan, was quoted by the British journalist Thomas de Waal, as saying, “before Khojali, the Azerbaijanis thought that ... the Armenians were people who could not raise their hand against the civilian population. 

We were able to break that [stereotype]” (Thomas de Waal, Black Garden: Armenia and Azerbaijan through Peace and War (New York and London, New York University Press, 2003), p. 172).

Deliberate targeting of the Azerbaijani civilian population continued during military operations conducted by Armenia from September 27 to November 10, 2020.

Deliberately targeting the civilian population and civilian infrastructure of Azerbaijani cities such as Ganja, Barda, Terter, which are located at a considerable distance from the war zone, Armenia resorted to the same terror tactics as they had in 1992.

This time with the use of modern types of armoured vehicles, rocket launchers and cluster munitions, Armenia once again unlawfully targeted and killed peaceful Azerbaijani civilians.

The Republic of Azerbaijan believes that continuous measures taken at the national level, as well as within the framework of existing international law, will serve to end impunity and bring to justice those responsible for serious crimes committed during Armenia's aggression against Azerbaijan.

We take this opportunity to remember the victims of the Khojaly massacre and commit their sacrifice to our collective national memory. May they rest in peace.

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Energy cooperation in focus during PM Imran's meeting with Russian President Putin

 

MOSCOW, FEB 25: Prime Minister Imran Khan, who is on a two-day visit to Moscow, held a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday during which the premier reaffirmed the importance of the Pakistan Stream gas pipeline as a flagship economic project between the two countries, his office said.

The Kremlin issued a brief statement, saying that the two leaders discussed the main aspects of bilateral cooperation and exchanged views on current regional topics, including developments in South Asia.

In a handout, the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) said that the two leaders held wide-ranging consultations on bilateral relations as well as regional and international issues of mutual interest.

"​Recalling the telephone conversations during the recent months between the two leaders, the prime minister expressed confidence that the positive trajectory of bilateral relations will continue to move forward in the future," the handout issued late on Thursday said.

PM Imran expressed the hope that the trust and cordiality marking the relationship would translate into further deepening and broadening of mutual cooperation in diverse fields.

He also reaffirmed the importance of the Pakistan Stream gas pipeline as a flagship economic project between the two countries and also discussed cooperation on prospective energy related projects.

"The prime minister underscored Pakistan’s commitment to [forging] a long-term, multi-dimensional relationship with Russia," the PMO said.

During the meeting, PM Imran also underlined the need for addressing the humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan and preventing a potential economic meltdown in the war-torn country.

"The prime minister reiterated that Pakistan would continue to work with the international community for a stable, peaceful and connected Afghanistan. In this regard, he underscored the ongoing cooperation and coordination between Pakistan and Russia at various international and regional fora, including the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation."

In regard to South Asia, the prime minister highlighted the human rights violations in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) and underscored the need for a peaceful resolution of the issue.

"The prime minister also highlighted the developments detrimental to regional peace and stability and stressed the need for measures that would help keep the regional balance," the statement said.

According to the PMO, PM Imran "regretted" the latest situation between Russia and Ukraine and said that Pakistan had hoped "diplomacy could avert a military conflict".

"The prime minister stressed that conflict was not in anyone’s interest and that developing countries were always hit the hardest economically in case of conflict. He underlined Pakistan’s belief that disputes should be resolved through dialogue and diplomacy.​"

The premier also expressed concern about rising extremism and Islamophobia in the country and stressed the need for interfaith harmony and coexistence.

After the meeting with Putin concluded, Russia's Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak and Energy Minister Nikolay Shulginov called on the premier along with a delegation.

Earlier today, PM Imran laid a floral wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Moscow in a tribute to the casualties of World War II.

'PM to return to Pakistan as per schedule'

Before the meeting between PM Imran and Putin, Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry — who is part of the Pakistani delegation in Moscow — confirmed that the premier was on his way to meet President Putin, debunking "speculation" regarding the premier's visit being cut short amid Ukraine-Russia tensions.

The information minister also said the premier's "visit is proceeding and that he would return to Pakistan tonight as per schedule".

Chaudhry's clarification came after a report by Associated Press claimed that the prime minister was ending his Moscow trip.

According to Dawn News correspondent Adil Shahzeb, who is currently in Moscow, the PM's "important meeting" with Putin was extended to three hours, which was earlier scheduled for an hour.

PM Imran arrived in Moscow yesterday on a two-day official visit, where he was greeted by Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Igor Morgulov upon his arrival. He was also presented a guard of honour.

Qureshi meets Lavrov

Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi met his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov in Moscow as both the leaders reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthen bilateral relations between the two countries, according to a statement from the Foreign Office.

Qureshi said Pakistan attaches special importance to bilateral relations with Russia. He said relations between Pakistan and Russia have gradually strengthened.

"Pakistan pursues economic priorities and promotes regional ties in the light of PM Imran Khan's vision," Qureshi told his Russian counterpart.

Lavrov congratulated Qureshi and Pakistani leadership on the success of the OIC's Council of Foreign Ministers on Afghanistan held in Islamabad in December last year and also expressed best wishes regarding the upcoming meeting of the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers in Islamabad next month.

The last Pakistani premier to visit Russia was Nawaz Sharif in March 1999, while former president Asif Ali Zardari came to Moscow in 2011.

PM Imran's visit is viewed by many in and outside Pakistan with much anticipation though the Pakistan government terms it a prelude to greater relationship in strategic, energy and regional connectivity.

The timing of the visit has been discussed threadbare but top Pakistani government officials term it one of the rarest opportunities for the energy-starved country to make headway in energy, regional connectivity and role in Afghanistan post US withdrawal.

National Security Adviser Moeed Yusuf, however, had rejected the notion about the timing of the visit. “Yes there is a global tension but our visit is of bilateral nature and the similar path was taken in the visit to China where economy, economic indicators and connectivity was at the heart of that tour,” he had said.

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Courtesy Dawn News

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Ukraine declares 30-day state of emergency amid stand-off with Russia

 

Kyiv, FEB 23: A 30-day state of emergency has been declared in Ukraine in light of a feared invasion by Russia in the country’s east, the secretary of the country’s security council said on Wednesday.

The move could mean Ukrainians will be ordered to stay home or placed under curfew, Oleksiy Danilov said.

The move comes in response to Russia’s decision to recognize two separatist regions in eastern Ukraine as independent countries and authorize Russian military forces to enter to prevent what the Kremlin insists is attempted genocide against ethnic Russians there.

The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry on Wednesday urged citizens living in Russia to leave that country “immediately.” According to estimates, about 3 million Ukrainians reside in Russia. Many have family in both countries.

The West has responded to Russia’s actions vis-a-vis Ukraine with a flurry of sanctions for what it calls a violation of international norms.

Britain announced sanctions against Russian oligarchs and banks, while Washington announced moves against Russian financial institutions and sovereign debt. The European Union announced its own package of measures.

The US and European countries have been warning for weeks that Russia is preparing an invasion, with more than 100,000 troops amassing on the Russian side of the joint border and – more recently – Russia’s refusal to withdraw troops stationed in Belarus for military drills.

Russia responded that it was seeking guarantees that NATO forces would no longer operate forces in Eastern Europe – even in NATO member countries – and that Ukrainian NATO membership would be permanently off the table.

Russian President Vladimir Putin slammed the West on Wednesday for failing to respond to these demands, which he called “non-negotiable.”

“Our country is always open for direct and open dialogue, for the quest for diplomatic solutions to difficult problems,” he said in a video message released to mark Defence of the Fatherland Day, a day set aside to honour the armed services.

“But I repeat: The interests of Russia and the security of our citizens are non-negotiable for us,” he said.

Putin has repeatedly indicated that he thinks NATO’s eastward expansion is a threat to Russia.

“Today, securing the ability of our country’s defence forces remains the most important duty of the state,” he said.

Also on Tuesday, a debate about whether the Kremlin-backed TV station RT will be allowed to continue broadcasting in Britain was gathering pace.

Foreign Secretary Liz Truss has said it is up to Britain’s communications regulator Ofcom whether the broadcaster would be allowed to continues with its licence, in comments reported by the Press Association.

“I think it is certainly true that (RT) is spouting propaganda on behalf of the Kremlin. One of the things the Kremlin does is use disinformation to try and sow discord in the West, and Russia Today is clearly part of that,” she said.

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer also called for action to tackle the “propaganda” put out by the channel, describing it as part of Putin’s “campaign of misinformation.”

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Courtesy Anews

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Ukraine seeks Pakistan help ahead of PM khan’s visit to Russia

 

ISLAMABAD, FEB 22: Ukrainian envoy to Pakistan Volodymyr Lakomov has requested Prime Minister Imran Khan to raise the Ukrainian issue with the Russian president during his visit to Moscow.

Addressing a presser on Tuesday, the Ukrainian envoy appealed to Pakistan to play its role to alleviate the rising tension as a nuclear power.  

He asked for Pakistan’s help in case Russia invades the country. He said Russia wants to occupy his country as the latter has deployed its more than 150,000 troops on the Ukrainian border for the last six months.

The envoy was of the view that unrest would spread across the globe if Russia attacks Ukraine. He stressed upon Pakistan to play its part to solve this crisis. 

He also called upon Russia to respect the international laws and abide by its agreements, while urging Moscow to sort issues with dialogue instead of using force.

Ukraine has been facing foreign military aggression since Feb 20, 2014. The envoy said that his country would not compromise on its sovereignty. 

The Ukrainian envoy’s comments come a day ahead of PM Khan’s scheduled visit to Russia on the invitation of President Vladimir Putin.

The foreign office said in a statement that the premier will be accompanied by a high-level delegation, including members of the cabinet. 

It said that both countries enjoy friendly relations “marked by mutual respect, trust and convergence of views on a range of international and regional issues”.

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