After arriving on his first visit to Pakistan, Ukrainian Foreign Minister, Dmytro Kuleba met with his Pakistani counterpart, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari on Thursday, July 20, 2023.

Kuleba’s visit marks the first ever ministerial visit from Ukraine since the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries in 1993.

At news conference after their meeting, both Ministers called for the the Black Sea grain initiative to be restored in order to ensure global food security.

This comes days after Russia halted the wartime deal that had allowed grain to flow from Ukraine.

Russia announced on Monday, July 17, 2023 that it was suspending its participation in the deal, and on Wednesday, July 19, 2023, Russian strikes on Ukraine’s southern port areas destroyed some of its critical grain export infrastructure as well as 60,000 tons of grain that was allocated for China.

The grain deal, negotiated in July 2022 among Turkey, the U.N. and Russia, had allowed grain to flow to countries in Asia, the Middle East and Africa where hunger is a growing threat and high food prices have pushed more people into poverty.

Both Foreign Ministers emphasized their countries’ desire to continue the Black Sea grain deal. Butto Zardari divulged that he would contact representatives of the U.N., Turkey and Russia to discuss the matter.

Pakistan has been a regular importer of wheat from Kyiv in recent years, per Kuleba’s estimate, as much as 1 million tons in 2021.

Kuleba voiced at the news conference that the Russian strikes mean “60,000 tons of grain will never make it to the people who want to buy bread at a reasonable price and as prices go up.”

Kuleba noted that his country has made some progress in improving land corridors for exporting its grain but that the best way remains by sea.

He stressed that Russia wanted to replace Ukrainian grain on the global market, and that “Russia is increasing its exports of grain, making more money for its war machine.”

Also, Kuleba expressed gratitude to Pakistan for providing his country with humanitarian aid when it was most needed and at a time when Pakistan itself was struggling economically. “But this is what friends do, they help each other in times of the greatest need,” Kuleba said.

He expressed inquisitiveness in boosting trade and economic ties, saying that the country is looking forward to holding the inaugural meeting of a Pakistan-Ukraine commission on economic cooperation.

Bhutto, while speaking about the situation in Ukraine, expressed deep concern and said that Pakistan sent humanitarian assistance “as a gesture of solidarity with the people of Ukraine.”

Pakistan Ready To Back Peace Initiatives

On his part, Bhutto Zardari disclosed that Pakistan is ready to support peace initiatives.

He noted that Pakistan is located in a volatile region and understands how long standing regional conflicts can endanger the collective security.

The Pakistani Foreign Minister said, “We believe that prolonged conflict brings immense hardship and suffering to civilian populations.” He also expressed hope that “peace will prevail so that the people of Ukraine and Russia can enjoy peace dividends.”

“The Ukraine conflict has also brought difficulties for developing countries and the Global South, particularly in terms of fuel, food and fertilizer shortages. Pakistan is no exception. We, therefore, have a vested interest in promoting peace and reconciliation. We hope for a peaceful resolution of the conflict through dialogue and diplomacy.
Bilawal Bhutto Zardari

Earlier, a number of media outlets reported that Ukraine would seek an arms deal with Pakistan, amid the fact it has been facing an unprecedented shortage of arms and ammunition on the battlefield. However, Kuleba refuted those media reports.

Kuleba declared that there is no arms supply agreement between Pakistan and Ukraine. Bhutto Zardari echoed Kuleba’s stance, saying, “Pakistan is not providing any weapons to Ukraine.”

Kuleba is scheduled to also meet Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.