Volodymyr Zelenskyy surprised everyone by making a video appearance at Qatar’s Doha Forum. This annual summit is held in Qatar, a nation rich in natural gas. The Qatari government will host the 2022 FIFA World Cup later in the year. This is part of a series of rhetorical addresses he has given all over the globe since February 24, when the war began.
Zelenskyy asked nations to increase their energy exports, which is particularly important since Qatar is the world’s leader in natural gas exports. The West has severely impacted Russian exports which are vital for European countries.
Zelenskyy stated that “The responsible states, in special the state of Qatar,” are trustworthy and reliable suppliers of energy resources. “And you can help stabilize the situation in Europe. There are many things that can be done in order to restore justice.
He said: “The future Europe is dependent on your efforts.” To make Russia realize that energy should not be used as a weapon or to blackmail the rest of the world, I urge you to boost energy production.
He said that Russia’s destruction in Mariupol was similar to the Russian and Syrian destruction in Aleppo during the Syrian civil war. He warned that the war could impact Ukraine’s agricultural exports, which he called “the foundation of stability and inner security for many countries.”
“Russian troops mine Ukraine’s fields, demolish agricultural machinery and destroy fuel reserves for sowing. They also blocked our seaports. He asked, “Why are they doing that?” “Our state will have enough food. However, many countries in Latin America, the Islamic world and elsewhere will be affected by the absence of Ukraine’s exports.
Mideast countries like Egypt are already concerned by the loss of Ukrainian wheat. They rely on these exports. Zelenskyy spoke on Friday by phone to Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi. He is a close ally with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
The top diplomat representing the largest oil exporter in the world, Saudi Arabia was also present. Saudi Arabia has so far said that it will adhere to the OPEC+ production schedule, which was agreed with Russia and other producers. It also stated that it would not be responsible for higher prices in dealing with attacks by the Houthi rebels from Yemen, which has been a long-running war in the Arab World’s poorest nation.
Saad Sherida al-Kaabi, Qatar Energy CEO, later stated that Qatar could not help “immediately”, with more gas being sent to Europe.
Qatar’s ruling Emirate criticized Israel’s treatment of Palestinians in the past 70 years and urged the world against growing global militarization, which reached its peak with Russia’s ongoing war against Ukraine.
Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al Thani tried to draw a distinction between anti-Semitism, and the ability criticize Israel for occupying land that Palestinians want to be their state. The comments of Sheikh Tamim were made as Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates and Israel established diplomatic relations in 2020.
Sheikh Tamim stated at the beginning of the forum, “It is notable here that the accusation against anti-Semitism has now been wrongly used against everyone who criticizes Israel’s policies and this impinges upon the struggle against racism or actual anti-Semitism.”
He said, “While I am emphasizing solidarity, I would like to in this context remind of the millions Palestinians who have suffered from the Israeli occupation & international neglect for over seven decades.” “Similarly, there are many other people, like the Syrian people or the Afghan people, to whom the international community has not done justice.”
The Israeli Foreign Ministry did not immediately respond to our request for comment. The Jewish day of repose is Saturday when government offices close.
Qatar and Israel have been discussing ways to reduce tensions in Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip. Qatar, which supports Islamists in the region, has offered humanitarian aid with Israel’s consent.
Qatar’s support for Islamists led to it being the subject of a long boycott by four Arab countries — Bahrain, Egypt and Saudi Arabia — during President Donald Trump’s tenure. This boycott was lifted just before President Joe Biden assumed office in 2021.
U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (a Republican from South Carolina) was present at the forum and praised the fact that the top diplomats from Qatar and Saudi Arabia shared a stage, as an indication that the embargo has ended.
He did however note the Emirati and Saudi reluctances to condemn Russia for its war against Ukraine. He stated that he hoped that the Russian people would protest Vladimir Putin and make “a change in their regime”, as they “have a very dark future.”
Graham stated, “What you have seen on your televisions is war crimes on an industrial level.” The question is, “Can that be forgiven?” Can we create the world we desire and allow Putin to do it? “No,” is my answer.
