ISLAMABAD:The heads of various foreign missions in Pakistan have urged Islamabad to condemn Russia’s armed hostility against Ukraine in the ongoing special session of the UN General Assembly, convened to vote for a resolution against Russia.

In a joint letter written to Pakistan on Tuesday, the envoys, who are stationed in Pakistan, recalled that a draft resolution was presented in the UN Security Council on Feb 25, which was vetoed by Russia and with three members- China, India and UAE- abstaining, while 11 voted in favour.

The envoys said the resolution was aimed at reaffirming the commitment to the sovereignty, independence, unity and territorial integrity of Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders and would have deplored in the strongest terms Russia´s aggression against Ukraine.

The resolution, in addition, called on Russia to immediately, completely and unconditionally withdraw all its military forces from the territory of Ukraine. The letter of the heads of foreign missions to Pakistan pointed out that Russia launched an “unprovoked attack and invaded a peaceful neighbouring country, which posed no threat to it.

They said the invasion constitutes a clear violation of the Charter of the United Nations and presents a serious risk to global peace and security. They stressed that the international community must work in solidarity and support and uphold the rules-based international order in these extreme times. The envoys said the UN General Assembly will now meet in an “Emergency Special Session”, where the UNGA is expected to vote for a resolution to stop Russia’s aggression.

The letter is jointly signed by the ambassadors of Germany, France, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Portugal, Poland, Romania, Spain, Sweden, The Netherlands, Japan, Norway and Switzerland as well as the head of the Delegation of the European Union to Pakistan.

The High Commissioners of Canada, the United Kingdom and the Charge d´Affaires of Australia to Pakistan are also signatories to the letter. A statement from UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, that: “The UN Charter has been challenged in the past, but it has stood firm on the side of peace, security, development, justice, international law and human rights, has also been quoted in the letter.

Meanwhile, according to various reports Pakistan had decided not to participate in the UNGA’s emergency session that began a day ago to discuss the Ukrainian crisis. According to reports quoting sources, Pakistan has decided not to take sides on this issue, and it (Pakistan) supports a peaceful and negotiated settlement.