ISLAMABAD, Oct 1 (APP): Russian Ambassador Albert P. Khorev held a briefing on the situation in and around Ukraine, addressing the military and political conflict, Western sanctions, maritime security, international law, food security and prospects for renewed negotiations.
The event began with guests observing a minute of silence in memory of the victims of the Siege of Leningrad, whose 85th anniversary was marked on September 8.
Addressing the press conference here on Thursday, about Russia’s parliamentary elections, Ambassador Khorev said the September 20 vote recorded what he described as record turnout despite external pressure and attacks by Ukrainian drones on Russian cities.
According to the ambassador, the attacks were intended to disrupt the electoral process.
The media briefing focused on Moscow’s assessment of the broader Ukraine conflict.
Khorev described the crisis as a large-scale confrontation between Russia and what he called the collective West, arguing that Ukraine was being used as a proxy in efforts to weaken Russia.
On the economic front, the ambassador maintained that Western sanctions had not produced the economic collapse that their proponents sought.
He argued instead that sanctions had generated significant consequences for the countries imposing them as well as for the wider global economy.
Khorev cited Russian estimates that the western countries suffered cumulative losses of between €1 trillion and €1.6 trillion from the unintended effects of sanctions between 2022 and 2025.
He also put the losses incurred by western companies that ended their operations in Russia at approximately €400–450 billion.
The ambassador said continuing sanctions pressure was accelerating the use of national currencies in international settlements and encouraging the development of alternative financial and trade mechanisms through groupings including BRICS, the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation and ASEAN.
Maritime security and freedom of navigation were also discussed. Khorev criticized Western measures targeting what is commonly described as Russia’s “shadow fleet,” arguing that the concept had been created as a justification for actions against Russian vessels.
He also expressed concern over what he described as an increase in Ukrainian attacks on civilian vessels in the Black and Azov Seas, warning that further escalation could create risks for international shipping.
The ambassador linked the maritime issue to global food security, highlighting the respective positions of Russia and Ukraine in international wheat exports.
He cited figures under which Ukraine accounts for around 7 percent of global wheat exports, compared with approximately 23 percent for Russia, and argued that restrictions affecting Russian agricultural exports could have consequences for global food supplies.
On the legal front, Khorev said Russia did not recognize Western-created mechanisms concerning compensation for Ukraine and would not comply with decisions issued by such bodies.
He also highlighted a June 15, 2026 ruling by the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague, saying the tribunal unanimously rejected several Ukrainian claims, including demands for compensation and reparations and claims relating to maritime areas and resources associated with Crimea and the Sea of Azov.
Ambassador Khorev said Russia remained committed to a political and diplomatic settlement of the Ukraine crisis and stated that Moscow had initiated the resumption of negotiations after the process was halted by Kyiv and remained prepared to continue talks while taking Russia’s national interests into account.
He also rejected suggestions that Russia was preparing military action against Europe or NATO countries, saying Moscow had no such plans and no reason to escalate tensions with Europe.
Source: APP (Associated Press of Pakistan)
