Putin and Qatari Emir Discuss Gaza, Syria, and Regional Stability in Moscow

Russian President Vladimir Putin welcomed Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani in Moscow on Thursday for high-level talks centered on Middle East regional security, with a particular focus on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the evolving situation in Syria. This marks Al Thani’s first official visit to Russia since 2018, amid intensifying global diplomatic efforts to manage escalating crises in the region.

Gaza Crisis and the Ceasefire Breakdown

Both leaders expressed deep concern over the ongoing humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza, with Al Thani directly accusing Israel of failing to uphold the January ceasefire agreement, which had been mediated in part by Qatar.

“We reached an agreement months ago, but unfortunately, Israel did not abide by this agreement,” Al Thani said, reaffirming Doha’s commitment to mediating a long-term truce.

Putin echoed the sentiment, condemning the continued civilian deaths in Palestine as a “tragedy” and emphasizing Russia's commitment to a two-state solution:

“A long-term settlement can only be achieved on the basis of UN resolutions on the creation of a Palestinian state.”

Post-Assad Syria and Humanitarian Priorities

The two leaders also addressed the complex political and humanitarian landscape in Syria, following the ouster of longtime President Bashar al-Assad by a broad insurgent coalition led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) in late 2024. Assad, a key Russian ally, has been replaced by HTS leader Ahmed al-Sharaa.

Despite the shift in leadership, both Putin and Al Thani expressed a shared interest in supporting Syria’s territorial integrity and sovereignty.

“We are ready to work with Doha to stabilize Syria and address ongoing challenges,” Putin said, highlighting Russia’s continued commitment to preserving Syria’s unity.

Al Thani confirmed that he had recently met with Syria’s new leadership and that Ahmed al-Sharaa was interested in maintaining strong ties with Moscow.

“He is determined to continue cooperation based on mutual respect and the interests of the two peoples,” Al Thani stated.

Russia-Qatar Strategic Ties

The meeting concluded with both sides praising the state of bilateral relations, with commitments to deepen cooperation in trade, energy, investment, and regional diplomacy. With both nations positioning themselves as influential players in Middle East affairs, the meeting reinforced Moscow and Doha’s shared ambitions for multilateral dialogue and crisis resolution.