Official website of the President of Russia

Transcripts   /

Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and Presidential Aide Yury Ushakov attended the meeting from the Russian side.

* * *

The beginning of Russia-Qatar talks

President of Russia Vladimir Putin: Your Highness, I am delighted to have this opportunity to meet and talk with you.

The relations between Russia and Qatar are built on a strong foundation of friendship. Our trade in absolute figures is not large, but there are good growth prospects and positive trends.

We continue mutual investment cooperation. Our central banks are also working together. There is an ongoing dialogue on potentially including Qatar in the North-South Transport Corridor project. We are developing humanitarian links between our nations.

We remember that Qatar was extremely dedicated to the preparations for the FIFA World Cup. We have approved a memorandum of understanding between our ministries of sport to enhance cooperation in this field.

Your Highness, I would like to thank you for your efforts in resolving humanitarian issues and those arising from the Ukrainian crisis. It is through your mediation that we have been able to reunite children with their families on both the Russian and Ukrainian sides.

We are also aware that you have been one of the most effective mediators between Hamas and Israel in the Middle East crisis. We know very well that you are taking very proactive efforts to help the parties reach agreement on ceasefire and detainee exchange. Your Highness, you know that Russia is also making efforts to help settle this crisis. It is our firm belief that this situation can only be resolved by complying with the respective decisions of the UN, especially those concerning the establishment of two states, Israel and Palestine.

Your Highness, it has been a long time since your last visit to Russia. We would be more than happy to host you in our country. Please consider this an official invitation.

Emir of Qatar Tamim bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani (retranslated): Thank you very much, Mr President. I am happy to see you.

I would like to express my gratitude to the Russian Federation for its support to Qatar in joining this format and for the invitation to take part in this significant strategic cooperation format in Asia.

We take great pride in and deeply value the strong relationship between Russia and Qatar, which is built on mutual respect and trust. As you mentioned, our cooperation spans across numerous areas.

Qatar’s investments in the Russian economy and projects in Russia currently amount to approximately $13 billion, and we are committed to increasing this figure. Just yesterday, during dinner, we discussed opportunities for further investment in the Russian economy.

Mr President, I would like to express my gratitude for acknowledging Qatar’s humanitarian efforts. I want to assure you that we remain committed to continuing this work.

Thank you sincerely for entrusting us with the task of facilitating the return of Russian and Ukrainian children to their families. Naturally, we hope for a resolution to this crisis that satisfies both parties involved.

You mentioned the current crisis and war in Gaza. As I have already said, our commitment lies in resolving this through negotiations among the parties involved. We seek a ceasefire, and an end to the conflict. We also advocate for the return of Israeli prisoners and detainees from other states to reunite with their families.

The current situation is intolerable. The devastation unfolding in the Gaza Strip has resulted in the loss of tens of thousands of lives, including children, women, and innocent civilians. It is imperative to establish a Palestinian state based on the 1967 borders. I know that the Russian Federation supports this stance. Our primary objectives are to cease the war immediately and to uphold the existing international legal framework.

Thank you, Mr President, for your invitation to visit the Russian Federation, which I gratefully accept. I also extend an invitation for you to visit Qatar at your convenience.

<…>