Ahead of a historic trip to Russia, Prime Minister Imran Khan has expressed his hope that the prevailing Ukraine crisis would be resolved peacefully as the consequences of the impending conflict would have a direct impact on the developing countries in form of a shortage of food supply and rising oil prices.

“I think it is insane to have conflict, with an idea to have people die. I cannot understand how they even get this close to a conflict,” he said in an interview with Russia TV, which was aired on Tuesday on national television.

PM Imran is expected to visit Russia from February 23 (tomorrow) to 24 on the invitation of President Vladimir Putin, according to Foreign Office. The prime minister will be accompanied by a high-level delegation, including cabinet members.

According to the premier, he could not believe there was any possibility of conflict between Russia and Ukraine because its consequences would be adverse for the developing world, which was already trying to reel from the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic and the rising international oil prices.

Ukraine supplies wheat to the world, he said, while highlighting the role of the Eastern European country in the world market. Moreover, Russia supplies gas to the European countries and contains one of the highest reserves of fuel.

To query on a solution for the conflict or leaving it limbo, he said: “If leaders want they can resolve the conflict and I am sure the people in Russia and Ukraine understand if there will be a conflict there will be consequences.” PM Imran was of the view that leaders were “stuck if they withdrew” from the current position what will be the political impact of such a move. “And I think it takes very powerful and great leaders who rise above this and who think about the effect of consequences.”

The interviewer also asked about the outcome of the highly anticipated meeting with the Russian heads of state.

The premier reiterated that Pakistan did not want to be part of any bloc, amid the regional situation, and aimed for trading relationships with all countries. He was of the view that such ties would help lift the country’s people out of poverty.

On this, the interviewer asked about the stalled Pakistan-Russia gas pipeline project, which has “lost the steam” needed to provide.

PM Imran agreed with the interviewer, saying that one of the reasons for that was few of the working companies were sanctioned by the US. “I believe that the developing countries really wish there is not another cold war. The last thing we want is a world divided in blocs sanctions.”

Moreover, he said Pakistan has a bilateral relationship with Russia that it wanted to strengthen.

He also expressed hope that sanctions are lifted on Iran because Pakistan was short of gas.

On the spell of nationalism in many countries, he said: “As a student of political history I don’t believe military conflicts solve problems. Civilized society goes for dialogue.”

PM Imran lamented the country’s decision of joining the US bloc during the Cold War. But he admitted the country was in need of help as it was impoverished and joining the bloc brought foreign aid here. He stressed that the country should have been a non-aligned independent state, stood on its own feet, and not relied on foreign aid. “Foreign aid is a curse for the country because you do not fix your own systems you do not raise your own revenues, you don’t increase your exports, and you rely on handouts,” he said adding that it affects the country’s ability to be self-sufficient. “Joining the bloc stopped us from being a developed country.”

‘Not Gandi, Nehru’s India’

To a query on his offer for ‘acting as a bridge’ in the US-China standoff, he said that America was diverse and there was a group in the country that was against the extreme elite mindset of dominance.

Giving an example of Pakistan’s neighbouring country, PM Imran said: “This is not the India of Nehru or Gandhi but the India of Narendra Nodi… a tiny highly organised elite has taken over the country.”

He went on to say that instead of a standoff, cooperation between the US, China, and Russia would be beneficial for the humankind

Talking about being connected to the roots, he said attempts to impose other cultures on societies never succeeds as nations evolve organically.

The interviewer also asked a question about the mutual grievances with India apparently related to Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir.

The premier reiterated his claim that “no one knows India better than him” as he has played a lot of cricket there and was aware of the people’s psyche. However, this time he also expressed his “horror” to the incumbent Indian government’s “mad ideology” led by PM Narendra Modi’s BJP party, which was working on a “racist ideology.”

He also spoke about the peace overtures to India after coming to power that was not well received from the other side. PM Imran was of the view that there were two types of national – positive and negative.

“I can tell my people that you were a great nation and now you have to come up again by not repeating mistakes. But if tell them you were great and because of these human communities you could not reach the top, this shifts the hatred towards them that will result in bloodshed.”

The premier further expressed his desire to have a debate on issues with his Indian counterpart on television that would be “beneficial to billions of people.”

To another query, the premier said he would love to emulate China in terms of bringing people out of poverty. Secondly, bringing the rule of and ensuring a welfare society, which is humane, in the country. He further said he was looking forward to his trip to Russia.

During the interview, the premier also spoke about the climate change and “blunder” of developing worlds by the ruling elites of developed worlds where they apparently allow looters from developing countries to have properties there.

“We cannot do anything to bring back our past ruler living in worth millions of dollars properties in London, because rich countries make so difficult for us to bring that money back. There has to be a way,” he said, “The property should be returned to us until this person proves that he/she got this property legally then it (property) should be returned to us that would stop the blunder of developing world.”