According to Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock, the influential Gulf emirate of Qatar has taken a clear and critical stance on Russia's war of aggression on Ukraine. "Qatar has also raised its voice clearly," the Green politician said on Wednesday after a meeting with Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani. In the capital Doha, she was previously received by the head of state, Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani.
Baerbock also commented on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's invitation to the Arab League summit in Saudi Arabia on Friday. There, Zelensky will certainly underline once again that this war "may end tomorrow if the aggressor withdraws his troops." Russia's war of aggression is also having an impact in the Gulf and in the region. It is also an attack on the UN Charter and thus "the basis of life for all states, especially for smaller states in this world".
The Gulf states usually maintain good relations with Russia and are striving for neutrality in the Ukraine war. Moscow is an important partner for them, for example in the energy sector. At the same time, the EU and especially Germany are important customers for liquefied natural gas (LNG) for the Qataris, for example.
According to Arab diplomats, Zelensky's participation in the organization's summit in Jeddah should also allow talks on possible negotiations between Moscow and Kiev. Initially, there was no confirmation of Zelensky's participation from Kyiv. Saudi Arabia has already offered itself as a mediator in the conflict.
The Qatari prime minister said he and Baerbock had discussed the war, but remained more cautious. "We spoke about the respect for, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine and its territorial integrity," Sheikh Mohammed said.