Q1: His Excellency what is the current situation of Ukraine war and how much chance there is to end of the war in 2026?
The current situation in Ukraine was brilliantly described by the President of Russia Vladimir Putin during his recent meeting with the heads of international news agencies. First of all, he emphasized the fact that Russian troops are advancing along the entire frontline. There is not a single place where Russian troops are not advancing. And the Ukrainian Armed Forces are facing a disastrous shortage of personnel. According to the statistics presented by our leader, theirmonthly losses are approximately 40,000, their forced mobilization brings in around 15,000–16,000 per month, and about 14,000 return from hospitals after being wounded. Which means each month, there is a net loss of roughly 10,000 personnel. On top of that, around 20,000 desert each month and 200,000 criminal cases have been opened in their courts for desertions. This is one of their most significant problems.There is no motivation, no one wants to fight, because people are being taken forcefully. Such situation further helps the Russian forces advance.We are currently in full control of the Lugansk People’s Republic. Over 85 percent of the territory of the Donetsk People’s Republic is under our control as well. We also control 80 percent of the Zaporozhye Region. This process continues on a daily basis.
Unfortunately, while suffering defeat on the battlefield, Ukraine is now opening a new chapter in this armed conflict – by unleashing open, inhumane terror against defenseless children. On May 22 Kiev Junta conducted a bloody terrorist attack by killing 21 young student in a college dormitory in Starobelsk. It was a targeted strike against civilians – straight out of the German Nazi playbook.
As for the second part of your question, I would also like to refer to our President. Without a doubt, we are ready and willing to reach an agreement with Ukraine by peaceful means at any time and on the basis of the meeting with President Donald Trump in Anchorage. Russia agrees to the compromises discussed in Alaska. It is necessary that Ukraine also agrees to make them. Then, the conflict will be resolved naturally and quickly.
Q2: When Mr. Donald Trump came into power second time therewas much rhetoric about end of wars and to restore peace butduring his second term, we have seen more wars and violence. Why the expectations made about him by people, did not prove true?
To quote our Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, theforeign policy of the US administration goes beyond any international legal framework. President Trump has openly stated that he doesn’t need international law, that he has his own morality and his own instincts.He has abducted President of Venezuela Nicolas Maduro because he allegedly led a drug cartel. As soon as they abducted him, it became clear that the matter concerned oil, which the Americans made no secret of. After that, they designated Iran as a state sponsor of terrorism, and so must be destroyed as a civilization. The Americans have proclaimed many goals but few of them have been attained. Which is why all expectations regarding the current US Administration have failed.
At the same time, President Vladimir Putin, who met with Donald Trump and interacted with him multiple times,believes thathe is genuinely committed to resolving the Ukraine crisis. However, the US administration is distracted and is forced to focus primarily on Iran.
Q3:US-Israel attacked Iran which has jeopardized international peace. How do you see this situation and what is Russian point of view on these attacks?
Russia calls for an immediate end to the military intervention in the affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran and Lebanon, and to the unjustified use of military force against civilian infrastructure in Iran and neighboring countries, including nuclear facilities operating under IAEA safeguards. None of this has any legal or moral justification.
It is also clear that Israel certainly does not want any rapprochement between the Arabs and Iran, while the United States is taking an ambivalent position.The destructive actions of the West pose a clear threat to international peace and security. All Western initiatives are designed to work against the statesthat seek to pursue an independent domestic and foreign policy, including Iran. The aggressive use of brute force, as we have all witnessed in the US-Israeli aggression against Iran, has nothing to do with ensuring regional stability or preventing the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, despite what those who unleashed the war in the Middle East and the Persian Gulf periodically try to claim.
Q4: Russia and Iran have very good relations. Did any way Russia helped Iran diplomatically, economically and or militarily?
Our relations with Iran are indeed very good and based on trust.Russia-Iran partnership is close and multifaceted, and it is carried out within the existing legal framework. There is an active agreement on military-technical cooperation, under which Iran engages with our country. Precisely, as President Vladimir Putin recently reaffirmed, Russia is committed to implementing the Bushehr nuclear power plant project.
Russia is also completely determined to provide the required assistance to Tehran and Washington in implementing decisions that they can reach through talks. We are convinced that this issue can be resolved solely through political and diplomatic methods, respecting international law while duly heeding the interests of the Islamic Republic of Iran. Our Foreign Ministry indicated on multiple occasion Russia’s readiness to render good services to the parties in their search for and in carrying out mutually acceptable compromises.
Q5: His Excellency Pakistan and Russia are moving towards more and more better relations. How do you see the future prospects of these relations?
The ties between Russia and Pakistan are definitely getting stronger. As Foreign MinisterSergey Lavrov said at the beginning of the year, the dialogue between Moscow and Islamabad is on the ascendant. In 2025, Russian and Pakistani leaders held a number of important bilateral meetings. First of all, President Vladimir Putin and His Excellency Prime Minister of Pakistan Shehbaz Sharif met two times – one in China on September 2, and the other one in Ashgabat on December 12.Then, on November 17-18, Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, His Excellency Mohammad Ishaq Dar, visited Moscow to participate in the meeting of the SCO Council of Heads of Government. During the visit, he held meetings with Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Overchuk and Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.
Inter-parliamentary cooperation continues to develop actively as well. In May 2025, Chairman of the Senate of Pakistan Yusuf Raza Gilani paid an official visit to Russia. In mid-November 2025, Russian lawmakers traveled to Islamabad to take part in the Conference of Speakers of Parliaments. Regular and effective collaboration between the foreign ministries of the two countries has also been established.This density of political contacts is a reflection of both countries commitment to expanding mutually beneficial cooperation.
On the economic track, the most significant event in the previous year was the 10th meeting of the Russian-Pakistani Intergovernmental Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific, and Technological Cooperation. A number of promising initiatives are currently under consideration, including the restoration of Pakistan Steel Mills, cooperation in the pharmaceutical sector, particularly in insulin production, and the launch of pilot transcontinental freight shipments via the International North-South Transport Corridor. Opportunities are being examined for Russian companies to participate in oil and gas projects in Pakistan, as well as for Russian energy supplies to Pakistan. In addition, several Russian regions, including the Republic of Tatarstan and the Primorye Territory, have shown an interest in establishing direct cooperation ties with Pakistani provinces.
The adoption of a Programme for the Development of Trade and Economic Cooperation between Russia and Pakistan for the period until 2030 is also forthcoming.We strongly believe that with its adoption our joint efforts will assume an even more systematic character.
Q6: Recently Dr. Syed Mehboob Senior Research Editor the News Lark, Karachi,has completed his century of research-based articles on Russia and he is the first Pakistani who achieved this milestone. How do you see his contribution for promotion of Pakistan Russia friendship?
This is a fantastic achievement, Dr. Syed Mehboob!I would like to thank you for your hard work, and also give credit to the ownership, management and editorial board of The News Lark for providing you the platform to share your brilliant analysis of the current situation. Your valuable contribution will not go unnoticed and I hope you will soon be rewarded for the dedication to promote Russia-Pakistan friendship!
Q7:There is still negative propaganda of western and American propaganda against Russia and facts are distorted to mislead the people of the world. Don’t you think there is a need to create better coordination between Russian media, government information department and Pakistani media and what efforts should be done for this purpose?
There is certainly a great unfulfilled demand for objective non-distorted information in the media. Non-indifferent outlets and concerned government departments do understand this phenomenon and are working through potential venues for collaboration in this field. However, even their efforts are not always enough. We need more independently thinking people like you who can tell apart the truth from propaganda while also sharing their research articles with the public.
Q9: Pakistani youth are interested getting higher education and technical training in Russia. What prospects are there and how Russian government is planning to facilitate Pakistani youth?
Each yeartheGovernment of Russia provides a quota for a completely free-of-charge high education for 152 Pakistani students. But even if you are not selected, I would highly suggest that you pursue your academic goals in Russia. We have a very high-quality education which is totally worth the cost. The diploma and valuable skills you obtain in Russian universities will open many doors and opportunities in your life!
Q10: Recently Russian President Vladimir Putin visited China which indicated that global power is shifting from west to east. How do you see this visit and what was the outcome of this important visit?
This visit washighly substantive and conducted in an atmosphere of friendship and trust. This is not just my assessment or the position of my Ministry. Presidentof the People’s Republic of China Xi Jinping himself mentioned the fact that the visit of President Vladimir Putin to China had been highly successful and productive. Over the course of ita large number of joint documents and final agreements were signed.Most importantly, Russia and China signed a Joint Statement on Further Strengthening Comprehensive Partnership and Strategic Cooperation and Deepening Relations of Good-Neighbourliness, Friendship and Cooperation that sets out the cooperation between the two countries across a range of key areas. Additionally, a Joint Declaration on the Establishment of a Multipolar World and a New Type of International Relations was adopted. A comprehensive package of almost forty intergovernmental, interagency, and corporate documents was concluded.That is why I believe that this visit will further strengthen friendship between peoples of Russia and China and will contribute to the well-being and prosperity of the two countries.
Q11: His Excellency How did you describe your tenure here in Karachi as Consul General of Russia and how did you find people of Karachi?
As I told you during many previous interviews, this is not my first tenure here in Karachi. From 2013 to 2018, I was a Deputy Consul General, which is why I have spent enough time in Karachi to make a good judgment. My experience here in this city has been generally positive. The people are great, the atmosphere is very vibrant and the cuisine is fantastic!
Q12: What message would you like to give people of Pakistan specially readers of the News Lark?
We are meeting on the eve of Russia Day and I would like to share my greetings on this occasion with my Pakistani friends! We have many positive similarities which bring our nations closer to each other and cultivate mutual understanding. Among them are diverse people and nature, strong adherence to traditional values and morals, patriotism and many other things. I encourage you to learn more about Russia and when you have an opportunity – come and visit my country, you will never regret it!
