Logo of Phnom Penh Post newspaper Phnom Penh Post - Cambodia firmly rejects inclusion on list of Ukraine military backers

Cambodia firmly rejects inclusion on list of Ukraine military backers

Content image - Phnom Penh Post
The office building of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation. MFAIC

Cambodia firmly rejects inclusion on list of Ukraine military backers

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation on January 24 "categorically dismissed" the classification of Cambodia under the category of “military supporter of Ukraine” as published in an infographic originating from the Telegram channel “Demografiya Upala”.

This came after Cambodia provided training in demining to Ukrainian officers with Japan’s assistance.

“The decision to provide technical training in mine clearance to Ukrainian deminers in Cambodia – in collaboration with the Japan International Cooperation Agency [JICA] – is purely made on a humanitarian basis as similarly demonstrated by our many peacekeeping missions in Africa and the Middle East under the auspices of the UN,” it said.

The ministry urged the Telegram channel to rectify the graphic, saying that it is not only inaccurate but could prove to be detrimental to Cambodia as a peace-loving country which strictly adheres to a foreign policy of neutrality and non-aggression as anchored in its Constitution.

Recently, Cambodia ran a one-week training course for Ukrainian officers on demining with the participation of the Cambodian Mine Action Centre (CMAC), Cambodian Mine Action and Victim Assistance Authority (CMAA) and JICA.

Thong Mengdavid, a research fellow at the Asian Vision Institute’s Mekong Centre for Strategic Studies, said the inclusion of Cambodia as among Ukraine's military supporters was a serious mistake. He said the Kingdom has always abided by international principles and laws to maintain peace in the region and beyond and does not support the use of war as a means to end any conflicts.

“Cambodia clearly understands the value of peace. So, the information was baseless and meant to slander and tarnish Cambodia’s reputation and it can affect bilateral relations with Russia,” he added.

Rim Sokvy, co-founder of The Thinker Cambodia – a local think tank – said that sending mine clearance officials and providing training were humanitarian assistance.

He said the publication of the information presented a problem for Cambodia as it has maintained its neutrality in line with the Constitution. Cambodia, he added, does not allow any foreign country to host military personnel, nor does it send military personnel to foreign lands outside of the UN peacekeeping mandate.

“When they publish that Cambodia is giving military aid to Ukraine, that could stoke conflict with Russia and make an enemy for Cambodia out of Russia and that is the opposite of what is going on for Cambodia-Russia relations,” he said.

Back on November 1, before Cambodia hosted the ASEAN Summit and related meetings, Prime Minister Hun Sen spoke with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on the phone and said that he might visit Ukraine at an appropriate time. Hun Sen also agreed to Zelensky’s proposal to appoint ambassadors between the two countries and to provide humanitarian aid as well as demining assistance.

MOST VIEWED

  • Bareknuckle champion wants Kun Khmer fighter

    Dave Leduc, who is the current openweight Lethwei boxing champion in Myanmar, has announced that he will travel to Cambodia this year to challenge SEA Games gold medallist Prum Samnang any time that is convenient, after their planned match later this month in Slovakia was

  • Five-year-old Hanuman dances his way into hearts of Cambodia

    A young talent from a new-established settlement has emerged, captivating the online world with his mesmerising performances of the traditional Cambodian monkey dance. Roeun Kakada is a five-year-old prodigy who has taken the social media sphere by storm with his exceptional dance skills and dedication

  • Fresh Covid warnings as Thai hospital fills

    A senior health official reminds the public to remain vigilant, as neighbouring countries experience an increase in Covid-19 cases, with the latest surge appearing to be a result of the Omicron XBB.1.5 sub-variant. Or Vandine, secretary of state and spokeswoman for the Ministry of Health,

  • PM declares ASEAN Para Games open

    The 12th ASEAN Para Games officially kicked off on the evening of June 3 at Morodok Techo National Stadium in Phnom Penh, with a spectacular opening ceremony featuring fireworks and performances by some of the Kingdom’s most accomplished talents. Tens of thousands of sports fans

  • Honda shutters Siem Reap football club

    Japanese football legend Keisuke Honda, the owner of Siem Reap football club Soltilo Angkor FC, has been forced to shut the club down, after it failed to attract sponsorship for the upcoming season. Honda, the former manager of the Cambodia men's national football team, said

  • Waterway job still pending for Kampot tourism port’s opening

    The search is still on for a contractor to expand and deepen the Kampot International Tourism Port’s waterway and deliver additional enhancements allowing safe access for larger vessels, nearly a year after the main construction work on the 4.25ha site was completed on June 30, 2022.