Recently, Qatar has often been mentioned both in the context of Russia’s war against Ukraine and Israel’s conflict with Hamas. Through the mediation of this state, in particular, important prisoner exchanges take place.
Why Qatar is considered an important player and whether its mediation can lead to the end of wars – in the material of ICTV Facts.
Where is Qatar located
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What place does the country occupy in the international arena?
How and why Qatar acts as a mediator in the Russian war against Ukraine
Can Qatar help end the Russian-Ukrainian war
What role does Qatar play in Israel's war against Hamas?
Where is Qatar located
Qatar is a Western Asian country located on the coast of the Persian Gulf of the Arabian Peninsula. The state borders only one country – Saudi Arabia. The area of Qatar is slightly smaller than the area of the Ukrainian Transcarpathian region.
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What place does the country occupy in the international arena?
As political scientist, head of political and legal programs at the Ukrainian Center for Social Development Igor Reiterovich told Facts ICTV, in international politics Qatar is a country that has long been claiming the status of a regional leader due to its natural resources and capabilities.
In addition, Qatar in the Middle East is trying to take a mediating position and become a so-called bridge between the Arab world and, for example, Israel. The country is relaying these attempts, including to the global level.
How and why Qatar acts as a mediator in the Russian war against Ukraine
Recently, President Volodymyr Zelensky thanked Qatar for its humanitarian assistance and important mediating role in the return of illegally deported and forcibly displaced Ukrainian children to their homeland.
According to the political scientist, the context of the Russian-Ukrainian war is interesting for Qatar in the sense that they can enter big politics through humanitarian issues and thus significantly improve the image of the entire country.
As a rule, the countries of this region, and Qatar is no exception, have always been associated with very large amounts of money from natural resources, but at the same time an extremely authoritarian and even archaic way of government.
“But since this country is actively investing around the world, investing money and planning to attract investments, they need to have a slightly different image, so they improve it by participating in similar initiatives that are opening around the world,” says Reiterovich.
The expert noted that the Qataris could not bypass the Russian-Ukrainian war, since this is a very good opportunity for them, including through contacts with the United States, to offer their mediation services.
In addition, Qatar is perceived by Russians better than any other countries that offered their mediation, because it is equidistant and not openly pro-Ukrainian or pro-Western. Therefore, the state as a mediator is quite acceptable to all parties.
The political scientist added that Qatar has previously come up with various initiatives around the world. After all, the better the image, the better they will cooperate with the state, the more they will invest in them.
— This position, by the way, brings results, because they have established very good relations with the United States. They also have good economic and political relations with the European Union,” said Reiterovich.
Can Qatar help end the Russian-Ukrainian war
The expert notes that now, in the context of the Russian war against Ukraine, Qatar can help in two areas. The most relevant is humanitarian.
“In the future, they may become one of the countries, top ones at that, that can seriously invest in the restoration of Ukraine. They are interested in this because it is an opportunity to enter the market. And if at that time we have European integration in an active phase, then the level of their interest will increase even more,” added Reiterovich.
However, according to Reiterovich, Qatar will not be able to act as a mediator, for example, in peace negotiations between the Russian Federation and Ukraine due to the fact that they are not from this region and they do not have such weight and capabilities.
— They can join, for example, the Ukrainian World Formula. They can participate in all meetings and so on, but to say that Qatar can become a country that will act as a mediator is not. Even Turkey did not succeed, although it tried and is a regional leader,” the political scientist notes.
According to him, Qatar is too far away, so it can offer its territory for negotiations, it can offer some initiatives, but they will be one of many.
What role does Qatar play in Israel's war against Hamas?
In the context of Israel's war against Hamas, Qatar is also helping to resolve humanitarian issues, in particular the return of hostages. At the same time, as in the case of the war in Ukraine, the expert does not advise expecting something global.
Hamas members do not perceive Qatar as a clear authority, in particular because of their support for relations with the Americans.
“Therefore, they will not be able to act as a serious key mediator to end the war.” To solve humanitarian issues, they have all the resources, all the opportunities, and they use them very well,” said the head of political and legal programs of the Ukrainian Center for Social Development.
Reiterovich notes that, in fact, Qatar does not yet want more than humanitarian mediation, because this would be more responsibility, including some guarantees that they are not ready to provide.
“They won’t climb further, but we will remember them quite often.” Especially if recovery begins, believe me, this is where businessmen will appear and offer their services,” the expert concludes.
