Pakistan is grappling with the decision to attend the Ukraine Peace Summit in Switzerland on June 15-16. The summit, focusing on the ongoing conflict in Ukraine following Russia’s invasion in 2022, presents a significant international engagement for Islamabad. However, Pakistan’s participation remains uncertain due to its long-standing policy of non-alignment.
Spokesperson for Pakistan’s Foreign Office, Mumtaz Zahra Baloch, confirmed last week during a briefing that Pakistan had received an invitation to the summit. “The invitation is under consideration,” Baloch stated, highlighting the careful deliberation underway in Islamabad.
Sources in local media suggest that Pakistan might refrain from attending the summit to maintain its neutral stance. The absence of Russia from the summit, despite being a key player in the conflict, has also raised questions about the efficacy and impartiality of the gathering.
China, another influential player, has already decided to abstain from the summit, citing the exclusion of Russia as a significant flaw. Beijing’s decision has been noted in Islamabad, which often aligns its foreign policy closely with that of China. Analysts believe that Pakistan’s final decision may hinge on further diplomatic pressures from Western nations seeking broader participation from the Global South.
The backdrop to this summit and Pakistan’s dilemma is rooted in the complex geopolitical landscape that emerged following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. At the time, Pakistan’s then-Prime Minister Imran Khan was visiting Moscow, a trip that, despite its coincidental timing, drew international scrutiny and criticism.
Since then, Pakistan has navigated a cautious diplomatic path, avoiding outright condemnation of Russia’s actions while seeking to maintain balanced relations. This delicate balancing act was evident as Pakistan hosted the Ukrainian Foreign Minister and dispatched humanitarian aid, yet refrained from supporting U.S.-backed resolutions against Russia at the United Nations.
The summit invitation places Pakistan at a critical juncture in its foreign policy. The decision to attend or not could signal Islamabad’s broader strategic inclinations amidst a shifting global order. As the summit approaches, Pakistan’s stance remains a topic of intense speculation and interest within diplomatic circles.