The Ukrainian Prime Minister, Denys Shmyhal, recently had a phone conversation with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina of Bangladesh. During the call, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina emphasised the importance of resolving disputes peacefully and extended Bangladesh’s support towards achieving this goal, emphasizing that this principle should be universally followed.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina reiterated Bangladesh’s commitment to respecting sovereignty and regional integrity, in line with the objectives and principles of the United Nations. She expressed her condolences for the loss of civilian lives, including children, in the on-going Russia-Ukraine war.
War brings no benefits, peace is the path to prosperity – Sheikh Hasina
On the phone call, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina emphasised that war does not bring any benefits to any side, and Bangladesh firmly believes in the principle of peace.
Furthermore, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina expressed the desire for an immediate end to the Russia-Ukraine war, highlighting the importance of uninterrupted transportation of food grains, also known as the “Bread Basket,” from Ukraine. She expressed hope for the continuous support and maintenance of transportation routes for importing food grains from Ukraine. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina extended Bangladesh’s full support to the “Black Sea Grain Initiative” under the United Nations and expressed gratitude to all those involved in such noble endeavors. She also expressed optimism that these initiatives would continue to progress in the future.
During the phone conversation, Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal reaffirmed his commitment to working closely with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to strengthen the existing bilateral relations between Ukraine and Bangladesh. The Prime Minister of Ukraine seeks support from Sheikh Hasina on the international stage, including the United Nations and other global forums.
Sheikh Hasina’s previous stances on Ukraine issue
During a recent CNN interview, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina of Bangladesh voiced the pressing demand for escalated global actions to bring an immediate halt to the on-going war in Ukraine. Expressing profound concern over the extensive suffering caused by the conflict, she highlighted Bangladesh’s unwavering dedication to seeking peaceful resolutions to conflicts.
Prime Minister Hasina stated that Bangladesh does not support any kind of invasion or conflict and believes that dialogue is the key to resolving conflicts. She highlighted that no war can be one-sided and that every country has the right to live in its own territory and protect it. She emphasised that Bangladesh opposes any human rights violations or invasion it witnesses.
During the interview, Prime Minister Hasina discussed various topics, including Bangladesh’s relations with China and the Rohingya crisis. Regarding Bangladesh’s ties with China, she mentioned that Bangladesh maintains close relations with multiple countries, including China, the USA, and India. She stated that Bangladesh aligns with those who support its development. She also highlighted Bangladesh’s foreign policy principle of friendship to all and malice to none. Prime Minister Hasina acknowledged China’s role as a development partner, supporting Bangladesh’s growth through investments and construction projects.
Calls were made for avoiding war too
During the 22nd national council of Bangladesh’s oldest political party, Awami League, last year, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina called upon world leaders to refrain from provoking the Ukraine-Russia war and to bring an immediate end to the conflict.
In her inaugural speech, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina emphasised the importance of peace and urged world leaders to stop instigating the war between Ukraine and Russia. She expressed the desire for peace and stated that all countries have the right to act independently. She emphasised that Bangladesh does not advocate for war or sanctions, as they inflict suffering upon humanity.
Drawing from Bangladesh’s own history, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina highlighted the adversities of war, citing the experiences during the 1971 Liberation War. She pointed out that women are disproportionately affected by conflicts, and children also endure negative consequences.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina expressed concern that the on-going war in Ukraine is undermining the progress Bangladesh has made in recovering from the adverse impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. She stated that the war is demolishing the advancements made by the country.
