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

  • Ministry orders all schools, public and private, to close for SEA Games

    From April 20 to May 18, all public and private educational institutions will be closed to maintain order and support Cambodia's hosting of the 32nd SEA Games and 12th ASEAN Para Games, said a directive from the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport. Cambodia will host the

  • Almost 9K tourists see equinox sunrise at Angkor Wat

    Nearly 9,000 visitors – including 2,226 international tourists – gathered at Angkor Wat on March 21 to view the spring equinox sunrise, according to a senior official of the Siem Reap provinical tourism department. Ngov Seng Kak, director of the department, said a total of 8,726 people visited Angkor Wat to

  • Angkor Beer strengthens national pride with golden new look and fresher taste

    Angkor Beer – the "Gold of Angkor" – has a new look, one that is more stylish and carries a premium appeal, as well as a fresher taste and smoother flavour, making it the perfect choice for any gathering. Angkor Beer recently launched its new design, one

  • PM urges end to ‘baseless’ international Ream base accusations

    Prime Minister Hun Sen urges an end to “baseless” foreign accusations surrounding the development of the Kingdom’s Ream Naval Base, as the US has consistently suggested that the base is being expanded to accommodate a Chinese military presence. Hun Sen renewed his calls while

  • Water supply authority assures public shortages over early ‘24

    The Phnom Penh Water Supply Authority (PPWSA) asked for understanding from Phnom Penh residents in some communes where water pressure is weak. They assured residents that all supply issues will be resolved by early 2024, but have suggested that residents use water sparingly in the meantime.

  • Khmer ballet documentary debuts April 1

    A new documentary, The Perfect Motion, or Tep Hattha in Khmer, will premiere to the public on April 1. The documentary film follows two intertwined storylines: the creation of a show called Metamorphosis by the late Princess Norodom Buppha Devi (her very last production) and the