The State of Qatar has reiterated its willingness to support international peace efforts aimed at ending the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, reaffirming its openness to playing a mediating role in future negotiations.
Majed Al-Ansari, spokesperson for Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, made this known during a press briefing on Wednesday, highlighting the Gulf nation’s consistent diplomatic engagements.
“We announced a few days ago our welcoming of the talks that took place on this issue in Riyadh and Jeddah,” Al-Ansari said. “We issued special statements on this occasion, and the contacts of our leadership in Doha with counterparts in these countries have always contributed to this goal.”
He expressed Qatar’s optimism about the ongoing negotiations and emphasized its dedication to constructive diplomacy.
“We support all these efforts and welcome any possible role that the State of Qatar can play,” Al-Ansari added.
As part of its diplomatic outreach, the Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani, was recently delegated by Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani to visit Moscow. The visit was aimed at exploring Qatar’s possible contribution to conflict resolution initiatives.
Al-Ansari also recalled Qatar’s past involvement in international peace-building, referencing its role in the now-suspended Black Sea Grain Initiative, which was brokered by the United Nations and Turkey in 2022 to facilitate grain exports from Ukraine amid the war.
Diplomatic momentum has recently picked up. On March 11, U.S. and Ukrainian officials held talks in Jeddah, followed by trilateral discussions involving representatives from the U.S., Russia, and Ukraine on March 24 in Riyadh.
Following those meetings, the Ukrainian presidency confirmed its openness to a proposed 30-day ceasefire backed by the U.S., which may be extended upon mutual agreement. The proposed ceasefire also includes a halt to strikes on energy infrastructure and a possible revival of Black Sea grain corridor operations.
The Black Sea Grain Initiative, signed in June 2022, enabled Ukraine to export food commodities from key ports like Odesa. However, Russia withdrew from the agreement in July 2023, citing unfulfilled terms and escalating attacks on its vessels and coastal facilities.
Qatar’s position aligns with its broader foreign policy objectives of promoting mediation, dialogue, and global peace.
(NAN)