Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan has refused Western pressure to condemn Russia over its invasion of Ukraine saying his country is “neutral”.

Imran Khan rebuked Islamabad-based Western envoys who last week urged Pakistan to condemn Russia’s actions in Ukraine.

“What do you think of us? Are we your slaves…that whatever you say, we will do?” Imran Khan said on Sunday while addressing a political rally.

“We are friends with Russia, and we are also friends with America; we are friends with China and with Europe; we are not in any camp,” Khan added, saying Pakistan would remain “neutral” and work with those trying to end the war in Ukraine.

Pakistan, a traditional ally of the West, abstained from voting at the UN General Assembly last week on a motion condemning Russia for invading Ukraine.

Khan said Pakistan had suffered because it had supported the Western NATO alliance in Afghanistan, and instead of gratitude faced criticism.

Khan and his government found themselves in the spotlight after he went ahead with a visit to Moscow in late February as fears of an invasion were growing, and met Vladimir Putin a few hours after the Russian president had ordered his troops into Ukraine.