Moscow: An international roundtable discussion held in the Russian capital, Moscow, stressed the importance of the State of Qatar’s role in global events, including the settlement of the Russian-Ukrainian conflict.
The event, organised by the Russian Sputnik News Agency, with the participation of experts and officials, discussed the role of the Middle East in the Russian-Ukrainian settlement and the economic consequences of the conflict on the region, as well as the impact of the current international situation on issues of security, trade and cooperation between Arab countries and Russia.
First Deputy Chairman of the Russia Muftis Council Rushan Abbyasov said that the State of Qatar and other countries in the region, including Saudi Arabia and the UAE, have been playing an increasingly important role in international processes, including in terms of promoting a settlement in the Russia-Ukraine conflict. The Middle East plays a key role in resolving various issues, and has become a major actor in global politics and a proactive contributor to shaping a multipolar world order, he added.
For his part, Amal Abou Zeid, Adviser to former President of Lebanon, stressed that Russia-US relations have a major impact on the developments in the Arab region.
“Russia and US representatives have been meeting in Turkiye and Saudi Arabia in an effort to find common ground not only on the Ukraine settlement, but also on several other major topics, including the Palestinian issue,” he said.
In her remarks, Head of the Demographics and Migration Policy Department at MGIMO University, Gyulnara Gadzhimuradova said that “Russia has been consistent in providing humanitarian, military and diplomatic assistance to countries in the Middle East both in the Soviet period and in the years that followed by helping settle regional conflicts, including the Palestinian issue.”
In turn, Academic Director of the Russian International Affairs Council, Andrei Kortunov talked about what makes the Middle East interested in settling the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
He noted that Gulf countries and the Arab world in general would benefit from any improvements in Russia-Ukraine and Russia-US relations.
“We are talking about new opportunities for cooperation in sectors such as nuclear energy, as well as other areas of science and technology, while also partnering on transport and logistics projects,” he said.
