Volodymyr Zelenskyy made a surprise video at the Doha Forum in Qatar, an annual summit in the gas-rich country that will host the FIFA 2022 World Cup later this year. It is part of a rhetorical offensive that he has given to the world since the start of the war on February 24. Zelensky called on countries to increase energy exports – especially as Qatar is a world leader in gas exports. Western sanctions have had a profound effect on Russian exports, which are crucial for European nations. “Responsible states, especially the state of Qatar, are reliable and trustworthy suppliers of energy resources,” Zelenski said. “And you can help stabilize the situation in Europe. “There is a lot that can be done to restore justice.” He added: “Europe’s future depends on your efforts. “I urge you to increase energy production so that Russia understands that no state should use energy as a weapon and blackmail the world.” He compared the destruction of the port of Mariupol by Russia with the Syrian and Russian destruction caused in the city of Aleppo in the Syrian war. He also warned that the war could affect Ukraine’s agricultural exports to the world, which he described as “the basis of stability and internal security of many countries”. “Russian troops are mining fields in Ukraine, blowing up agricultural machinery, destroying the fuel reserves needed for sowing. Our ports are closed. Why are they doing this? ” asked. “Our state will have enough food. “But the lack of exports from Ukraine will hit many nations in the Islamic world, Latin America and other parts of the world.” The loss of Ukrainian wheat has already worried the nations of the Middle East, such as Egypt, which rely on these exports. Zelensky spoke by telephone Friday with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, a close ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin. Also present was Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister, Prince Faisal bin Farhan, the top diplomat of the world’s largest oil exporter. Saudi Arabia has so far stated that it will meet the production schedule of OPEC + that hit the cartel with Russia and other producers. The kingdom has also said it will not be responsible for higher prices as it faces attacks by Yemeni Houthi rebels amid years of war in the Arab world’s poorest country. Qatar Energy CEO Saad Sherida al-Kaabi also said later that his nation probably could not help “immediately” send more gas to Europe. Meanwhile, the ruling emir of Qatar has criticized Israel for its treatment of the Palestinians over the past 70 years, urging the world to stand up to the growing global militarization that has culminated in Russia’s ongoing war against Ukraine. Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani sought to draw a line between anti-Semitism and the ability to criticize Israel for occupying territories that the Palestinians hope will have a state of their own. Sheikh Tamim’s comments come as Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates in 2020 legalized diplomatic relations with Israel. “It is remarkable here that the charge of anti-Semitism is now being misused against all those who criticize Israel’s policies, and this runs counter to the fight against racism and genuine anti-Semitism,” Sheikh Tamim told the forum. “While emphasizing solidarity, I would like to remind you in this context of the millions of Palestinians who have been suffering from Israeli occupation and international neglect for more than seven decades,” he added. “Similarly, there are many other people, such as the Syrian and Afghan people, for whom the international community has failed to do justice.” The Israeli Foreign Ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment. It was Saturday, the Jewish day of rest, when government offices were closed. However, Israel and Qatar have been discussing reducing tensions in the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip. Qatar, which supports Islamist groups across the region, has intervened to provide humanitarian aid, including full cash suitcases being sent to Gaza with Israeli permission. Qatar’s support for the Islamists saw it become the target of a long-running boycott by four Arab nations – Bahrain, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates – during President Donald Trump’s tenure. This boycott ended shortly before President Joe Biden took office in 2021. U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham, a Republican from South Carolina who is ready for the forum, praised the event for leading Saudi and Qatari diplomats sharing a scene as a sign that “the embargo is over.” However, he noted what he described as the reluctance of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates to condemn Russia for its war in Ukraine. He said he hoped the Russian people would rise up against Vladimir Putin and have “a change of regime” as he “has a very dead future” in the way things are now. “What you have seen on your televisions, like all of us, is industrial-scale war crimes,” Graham said. “The question for the world is: Can this be forgiven? Can we become the world we want and let Putin get away with it? The answer for me is no. “
Associated Press writers Jon Gambrell in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, and Samy Magdy in Cairo contributed to this report.
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