Qatar welcomes Turkish mediation between Ukraine, Russia

By Ali Murat Alhas

ANKARA (AA) – Qatar on Wednesday hailed Turkiye’s efforts to mediate between warring Ukraine and Russia and voiced hope for a lasting peace agreement following this week’s talks in Istanbul.

“The state of Qatar welcomes the mediation of the Republic of Turkey between Russia and Ukraine, hoping that the negotiations that began in Istanbul would achieve a comprehensive and lasting peace agreement between two countries,” the Qatari Foreign Ministry tweeted.

The ministry also called on all parties to exercise restraint and resolve disputes through communication and diplomacy, adding that international disputes should be resolved through peaceful means.

After hosting a groundbreaking March 10 meeting between the Russian and Ukrainian foreign ministers, Turkiye on Tuesday again took the initiative to resolve the countries’ conflict by welcoming their negotiators in Istanbul.

Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu called the meeting in Istanbul "the most meaningful progress since the start of negotiations" so far and pointed to an emerging rapprochement between the countries.

Russia's war on Ukraine, which began on Feb. 24, has drawn international outrage, with the EU, US, and UK, among others, implementing tough financial sanctions on Moscow.

At least 1,189 civilians have been killed and 1,901 injured in Ukraine, with the true figure likely to be much higher, according to the UN.

More than 4 million Ukrainians have also fled to other countries, with millions more internally displaced, according to the UN refugee agency.

* Writing by Ali Murat Alhas