Kyiv, 23 October 2023 (TDI): Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a telephonic conversation with the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani on October 22, to discuss recent bilateral and international developments.
Firstly, the Ukrainian President expressed his gratitude for Qatar’s humanitarian support towards Ukraine, including the $100 million provided to strengthen Ukraine’s energy sector and to equip ambulances and surgical units, among other things.
President Zelenskyy, also acknowledged Qatar’s major mediation role in returning home the illegally deported and forcibly transferred Ukrainian children.
“Only what we can document is around 20,000 abducted children. This is a terrifying figure, but the real number is even higher. That’s why we need to continue this track. We are ready for further coordination and cooperation,” President Zelenskyy added.
During the conversation, Qatar’s interest in implementing First Lady, Olena Zelenska’s humanitarian projects aimed at restoring damaged hospitals in Ukraine was also talked through.
In speaking on international developments, both parties during the conversation also discussed the situation in the Middle East.
Both sides on the recent Palestine-Israel crisis agreed on the need to make efforts to de-escalate the conflict, seek peace, and protect civilians.
The Ukrainian President also emphasized the critical need for operating the humanitarian corridors without interruption to evacuate civilians and deliver humanitarian aid.
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Moreover, the Ukrainian President stressed the utmost importance of the Gulf nations in the Ukrainian Peace Formula during the current challenging times.
President Zelenskyy lastly expressed his gratitude for the Qatari delegation’s engagement in consultations with national security advisors in Jeddah and Qatar’s readiness to attend the upcoming Ukraine Peace Formula meeting in Malta next week.
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