The conflict between Russia and Ukraine continues to escalate. Russia stepped up its long-range bombardment, killing 34 people as a result and injuring over hundreds. It seems as though both countries still have a long way to go when it comes to establishing peace. Little progress has been made through a trade deal pertaining to grain exports and while this is a step in the right direction, it is a service level improvement at best.
Kyiv’s bombardment was the latest in a long string of missile attacks by Russia which insists that Ukraine poses a threat to national security. The conflict has resulted in trade blockades that have prevented Ukraine from exporting commodities like wheat, 1.2 megatonnes (MT) of which comes to Pakistan. It has even caused the prices of LNG to skyrocket because of disruptions in the market. The trickle-down effects of a dispute like this are tremendous, especially for countries like Pakistan that rely on a certain sense of stability in the market for economic survival. A booming refugee crisis, food shortages and exorbitantly high prices are problems that we are experiencing and the only way out of this situation is if both countries can come to some sort of agreement.
Pakistan has always maintained its neutrality when it comes to the Russian-Ukrainian conflict and it must continue to do so. However, it is vital that peace talks are encouraged because the fallout effect of this war is just too dire. Diplomacy is the only way forward and some progress was achieved when the two countries agreed to remove the blockade on grain exports. This is evidence of the fact that diplomacy does work and if both sides are willing to come to an understanding, then peace can be achieved. We must endorse this not only for the sake of the region but for the innocent civilians that are trapped in the middle.
Kyiv’s bombardment was the latest in a long string of missile attacks by Russia which insists that Ukraine poses a threat to national security. The conflict has resulted in trade blockades that have prevented Ukraine from exporting commodities like wheat, 1.2 megatonnes (MT) of which comes to Pakistan. It has even caused the prices of LNG to skyrocket because of disruptions in the market. The trickle-down effects of a dispute like this are tremendous, especially for countries like Pakistan that rely on a certain sense of stability in the market for economic survival. A booming refugee crisis, food shortages and exorbitantly high prices are problems that we are experiencing and the only way out of this situation is if both countries can come to some sort of agreement.
Pakistan has always maintained its neutrality when it comes to the Russian-Ukrainian conflict and it must continue to do so. However, it is vital that peace talks are encouraged because the fallout effect of this war is just too dire. Diplomacy is the only way forward and some progress was achieved when the two countries agreed to remove the blockade on grain exports. This is evidence of the fact that diplomacy does work and if both sides are willing to come to an understanding, then peace can be achieved. We must endorse this not only for the sake of the region but for the innocent civilians that are trapped in the middle.
