As Prime Minister Imran Khan embarked on a visit to Russia, US State Department Spokesperson Ned Price on Wednesday said the US had communicated to Pakistan their position regarding Moscow's further renewed invasion of Ukraine, and that Islamabad has been briefed them on Washington's efforts to pursue diplomacy over war.

The State Department spokesperson was responding to a question asked in a press briefing on Washington's assessment of the Pakistani prime minister's visit to Moscow at a time when Russia was making preparations to invade Ukraine.

"... We are certainly aware of the trip...We believe it’s the responsibility of every responsible country around the world to voice concern, to voice objection to what Putin appears to have in mind for Ukraine," the spokesperson said.

He further added that the US "views our partnership with a prosperous, with a democratic Pakistan as critical to US interests.

"We certainly hope, when it comes to those shared interests – the aversion of a costly conflict, the aversion of a destabilizing conflict, that every country around the world would make that point clearly in unambiguous language in their engagements with the Russian Federation."

The same question was asked again in context of the US assessment on the timing of PM Imran Khan's visit and whether Pakistan was indirectly endorsing Putin on Ukraine crisis.

"You would have to ask the Pakistani government," said the spokesperson. "I am just not in a position to offer an assessment on the timing of foreign counterparts’ travel to another country."

PM Imran Khan's visit to Russia

Prime Minister Imran Khan on Wednesday arrived in Moscow on a two-day official visit to push for the construction of a long-delayed, multi-billion-dollar gas pipeline to be built in collaboration with Russian companies.

Deputy Foreign Minister of Russia Igor Morgulov received the prime minister at the airport where he received a guard of honor.

Energy ministry spokesperson told Reuters about the Pakistan Stream gas pipeline. "Both countries are eager to launch the project at the earliest." He confirmed that Energy Minister Hammad Azhar is accompanying Khan on the visit.

The 1,100 km (683 mile)-long pipeline, also known as the North-South gas pipeline, was initially agreed to in 2015 and was to be financed by both Moscow and Islamabad, using a Russian company to construct it.

The premier and his delegation will undergo a coronavirus test, while he will commence his activities at 11am today, reported Geo News.

PM Imran Khan's trip to meet President Vladimir Putin and discuss issues including economic cooperation comes hours after a number of Western nations hit Russia with new sanctions for its military deployment into parts of eastern Ukraine.

Following is the schedule of PM Imran's engagements on Thursday (today) as per a Geo News report

• 1pm — Wreath laying at the Tomb of Unknown Soldier
• 3 pm — Luncheon with President Putin
• 5:30 pm — Interview with Mikhail Gusman (TASS)
• 6 pm — Call on by deputy prime minister
• 6:45 pm — Interaction with Pakistani Media
• 8:30 pm — Meeting with businessmen
• 10pm — Visit to Islamic Center
• 11:30 pm — Departure