Ukraine asks Qatar, others to boost energy exports amid war
DOHA, Qatar (AP) — Ukraine's president called Saturday on energy-rich nations to increase their production of oil and natural gas to counteract the loss of Russian supplies amid sanctions over Moscow's war on his country.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy made a surprise video appearance at Qatar’s Doha Forum, an annual summit in the gas-rich nation that will host the 2022 FIFA World Cup later this year. It's part of a rhetorical offensive of addresses he's given around the world since the start of the war Feb. 24.
Zelenskyy asked countries to increase their energy exports — something particularly important as Qatar is a world leader in the export of natural gas. Western sanctions have deeply cut into Russian exports, which are crucial for European nations.
“The responsible states, in particular the state of Qatar, you are reliable and reputable suppliers of energy resources,” Zelenskyy said. “And you can contribute to stabilizing the situation in Europe. There is much that can be done to restore justice.”
He added: "The future of Europe depends on your efforts. I urge you to increase energy production to make Russia understand that no state should use energy as a weapon and to blackmail the world.”
He compared Russia’s destruction of the port city of Mariupol to the Syrian and Russian destruction wrought on the city of Aleppo in the Syrian war. He also warned the war could affect Ukraine's agricultural exports to the world, which he described as “the basis of stability and internal security of many countries.”
“Russian troops mine fields in Ukraine, blow up agricultural machinery, destroy fuel reserves needed for sowing. They blocked our seaports. Why are they doing this?” he asked. "Our state will have enough food. But the lack of exports from Ukraine will hit many nations in...
