Qatar backs diplomatic efforts on Russia-Ukraine deal but not organising talks

Qatar supports all diplomatic initiatives aimed at resolving the Ukrainian crisis, including a potential summit between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, but is not involved in organising such meetings, Majed Al Ansari, advisor to the Qatari Prime Minister and official representative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said in response to a question from TASS.

Al Ansari emphasised that Qatar “certainly supports all international efforts aimed at resolving the war, including the expected summit, as well as all steps leading up to it,” but noted that the country’s role does not extend to facilitating technical consultations between the Russian and Ukrainian delegations, Caliber.Az reports.

Speaking at a weekly briefing at the Qatari Foreign Ministry, Al Ansari added that Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdul Rahman Al Thani, Qatar’s prime minister and foreign minister, hosted Andrii Yermak, head of Zelenskyy’s office, and Rustem Umerov, secretary of Ukraine’s Security Council, in Doha on August 26.

During the meeting, Qatar’s mediation in returning children affected by the war to their families was discussed, he said, describing a recent exchange as “a success in the context of humanitarian efforts.”

Following their visit to Doha, Yermak and Umerov traveled to Riyadh and Ankara. According to Politico, citing sources, the United States is seeking to organise technical consultations between Russian and Ukrainian representatives ahead of a possible summit. 

By Sabina Mammadli