PHNOM PENH: The French and German Ambassadors to Cambodia have asked Cambodia to actively participate in the international movement to support Ukraine and condemn Russia's aggression against the country. However, Prime Minister Hun Sen has announced that Cambodia will not support either side in this conflict.

The request was made during a meeting between the Secretary of State of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Soeung Rath Javy, with French Ambassador to Cambodia, Jacques Pellegrini, and German Ambassador to Cambodia, Christian Berze, on Tuesday, 1 March.

The two Ambassadors called for respect for Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity and for the immediate and unconditional withdrawal of Russian troops from Ukrainian territory. The two Ambassadors reiterated France and Germany's call for respect for international humanitarian law, the resumption of negotiations and the peaceful settlement of disputes.

In addition, the French and German Ambassadors requested that Cambodia not only vote in favor of a resolution that is being submitted to the UN Extraordinary Session of the UN General Assembly, but to also be the initiator of this resolution with other countries as well.

“In the face of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, which violates the most fundamental principles of international order, a referendum is not an option," the French Embassy wrote on its official Facebook page.

However, Prime Minister Hun Sen seems to have responded to this request by saying that Cambodia will maintain its position of not supporting either side of the conflict, as the status of the war has now changed, and is no longer a war between Russia and Ukraine, but a war between Russia and Europe.

At the inauguration of the new section of National Road No. 3, which spans from Phnom Penh-Kampot, held on Wednesday, 2 March in Takeo province, Prime Minister Hun Sen called Europe's entry into the Russia-Ukraine war the ‘Europeanization of Ukrainian territory.’ Because of this, he said it was difficult for Cambodia to maintain its position on the war, and thus told the international community not to force Cambodia to support any one side.