KYIV: The Pakistani embassy in Ukraine has said that 98 percent of Pakistani citizens have been evacuated safely while about 40 are still trapped there.
In a tweet, the embassy said 1,463 Pakistanis had been evacuated from the war-torn country, but eight Ukrainians were awaiting evacuation on the Hungarian border, while about 30 Pakistanis were in Kyiv, Kharkiv, Mariupol, and Kherson.
Embassy officials said that Russia and Ukraine have been contacted for the safe return of Pakistanis while the Pakistani embassy is continuing its work with Ukraine and providing all services.
Earlier, Ambassador of Pakistan Dr. Noel Khokhar called on the Deputy Interior Minister of Ukraine and discussed the possibility of evacuation of Pakistani nationals from the war-torn country.
Russia’s attacks on Ukraine are intensifying, and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said he believes some foreign leaders are preparing for war against Russia, however, Moscow will continue its military operation in Ukraine until the end.
Read more: 98% stranded Pakistani evacuated from Ukraine, says embassy
In an interview with state television, Sergey Lavrov said that Russia had no intention of a nuclear war. He said he had no doubt that a solution to the Ukraine crisis would be found and that a new round of talks between Ukrainian and Russian officials was about to begin.
He said that Russia’s talks with the West should be based on mutual respect, accusing NATO of trying to maintain its supremacy, he said Moscow would not allow Ukraine to have an infrastructure that would pose a threat to Russia.