Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s visit to the State of Qatar

Sergey Lavrov was received by Emir of the State of Qatar Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani.
Photo: MFA

Press release on Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s visit to the State of Qatar:

On February 26, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov made a working visit to Doha, where he was received by Emir of the State of Qatar Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and held talks with Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the State of Qatar Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani.

The participants in the meetings discussed in detail the key focal points in efforts to further strengthen the traditionally friendly Russian-Qatari relations. Both parties reaffirmed Moscow and Doha’s unwavering commitment to maintaining a regular trust-based political dialogue, as well as expanding cooperation in trade, the economy, investment, culture and the humanitarian sphere. In this context, they stressed the important coordinating role of the Joint Russian-Qatari Commission on Trade, Economic, and Technological Cooperation, which will hold its next meeting in Doha in March of this year.

They also emphasised their shared interest in continuing their effective collaboration within the framework of the Doha-based Gas Exporting Countries Forum.

While exchanging views on the current international agenda, they focused on Middle East issues with an emphasis on developments in Syria and Gaza. Both parties underscored the importance of ensuring Syria’s independence, unity, and territorial integrity. They noted the need for an early stabilisation of the internal political situation in that country and its post-conflict restoration as part of a comprehensive process of settlement involving all Syrian political forces, and ethnic and religious groups.

Photo: MFA

Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s statement and answers to media questions following visit to Qatar, Doha, February 26, 2025.

Colleagues,

The visit to Qatar during which I held meetings with Emir of the State of Qatar Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Qatar Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani has concluded.

Our good relations go back a while. Today, we reaffirmed our commitment to expanding them comprehensively based on agreements reached by President Vladimir Putin and Emir of Qatar Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani during earlier contacts.

We highlighted the importance of holding more meetings at different levels to discuss various matters. Our immediate objective is to hold a meeting of the Joint Russian-Qatari Commission on Trade, Economic and Technical Cooperation in Doha next month. Officials from our respective foreign ministries will meet as well. We always keep in mind the possibility of holding summit meetings. Both sides are interested in holding such meetings.

We agreed to step up our activities across all areas, primarily, trade and economy, as well as energy as part of the Doha-based Gas Exporting Countries Forum, and interaction between the Qatar Investment Authority and the Russian Direct Investment Fund. Humanitarian exchanges, promotion of tourism, and other cultural events are also part of our plans.

We discussed the Middle Eastern affairs at length, primarily, in light of the process that has been unfolding in Syria after the change of power. We are interested in keeping this process under control and making sure it does not spark civil strife, since the risk is still there. In some places, different armed groups continue to exchange fire after the new authorities have come to power in Damascus. Many Syrian regions are pushing to separate themselves from the central government. This concerns not only the Kurds, who, for many years while the Biden Administration was in the White House, nurtured the idea of separatism, which is outright unacceptable for all countries in the region, as it could lead to a big war, but also other ethno-confessional groups that would eagerly take advantage of the current situation and lay claim to an autonomy.

In order to put these processes in good order and to shoehorn them into a single direction, the Syrian authorities recently convened the Syrian National Congress, which – as they claimed – represented all political and ethno-confessional Syrian forces.

The participants adopted a declaration which contains a positive call for continued work in a transparent manner with the participation of all groups representing Syrian society, which will ensure creating proper environment for socioeconomic development and overcoming challenging problems which are the legacy of the unilateral stifling sanctions that the United States and the Europeans imposed on the Bashar al-Assad’s government.

We spoke at the UN in favour of lifting all of these sanctions immediately, since they have been hitting hard not Assad or his government, but the Syrian people, and continue to do the same now under a government that the West considers more acceptable. We will raise this issue and push for lifting these unilateral sanctions without any preliminary conditions. The Europeans tried to put forward a demand whereby any easing sanctions on Syria would implicate Russia leaving that country.

This is the same kind of an “either with us or against us” mindset that was typical of Europe more recently. This was the case when the groundwork was laid for ripping Ukraine away from Russia, and in many other situations. This mental disposition has a devastating effect on all processes out there. Europe in general and now that the political balance of power around Ukraine is shifting – we saw that it is, indeed, shifting yesterday during voting at the UN – seeks to undermine this trend, announces new massive packages of military aid to Kiev, goads it into continuing hostilities, and directly states - as Prime Minister of Denmark Mette Frederiksen did – that, given the circumstances, peace is worse for Ukraine than war. I discussed these matters with Emir of Qatar Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Qatar Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani today. Europe’s role in fomenting crises and its global image, which it has acquired over many centuries, remains the same.

We would like all external players, including the Arabs, the West, China, Russia, and Iran, to help normalise the situation in Syria. We are aware that the Syrian leadership (our Qatari partners confirmed this) is interested in seeing assistance to the reforms and normalisation processes in the country come in an even and balanced manner, where no one is trying to subordinate these processes to their geopolitical goals. Syria no longer wants to be a place for the external players to sort out their geopolitical differences.

We placed great emphasis on yet another issue which is the Palestinian-Israeli settlement and Israel-Lebanon relations. We are concerned that the Israeli army takes more steps every day that are not provided for in the agreements with Hamas and Lebanon. These steps create situations on the ground that are at odds with the existing agreements and UN Security Council resolutions on Palestinian affairs and the Lebanese issue.

In this regard, Qatar and the Russian Federation share the importance of re-orienting the process towards respecting the principles approved by the UN Security Council. The establishment of a Palestinian state is a key issue. Any attempts to tank these Security Council resolutions and to replace the establishment of a Palestinian state with “resettling Palestinians across the region” will only set a time bomb into motion, as has happened multiple times over the many decades of ignoring the demands for a two-state solution.

We will continue consultations with Qatar. A useful dialogue is underway between Russia and the Arab League as part of a joint format. Respective experts routinely discuss the issues that need to be agreed upon. We will use our leverage in the international arena (including the UN) to ensure that the processes follow a constructive course. We have failed to achieve that so far.

We are pinning our hopes on the Arab League conference in Cairo to discuss the future of the Gaza Strip in the context of the existing initiatives, one of which is to develop it into a tourist area. The Arabs want the Palestinians’ right to live on their own land to be upheld. This is what the summit will focus on.

On March 14, the Joint Committee of the Arab League and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation will meet in Istanbul to review approaches to regulating relations across the region. Israel-Palestine, Israel-Lebanon, Israel-Syria.

Just as they decided to linger in southern Lebanon, the Israelis have now entered southern Syria which gives rise to a new situation and calls for more than just comprehension. There’s need to develop constructive steps that take into account the security and development interests of all countries in the region without exception, including, by all means, Israel. However, security and development issues must not be resolved at the expense of other countries’ security and development.

Question: Qatar has made significant efforts to reunite children separated from their parents. How do you view Qatar’s further mediation in resolving the Ukrainian issue?

Sergey Lavrov: Today, we once again expressed our gratitude and appreciation to Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Qatar Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, for the discreet, pragmatic efforts undertaken by Qatar to facilitate the resolution of humanitarian issues in relations between Russia and Ukraine. Primarily, these concern the reunification of children with their families. This work will continue, as was clearly conveyed to us today.

We consistently welcome initiatives proposed by regional states with noble intentions. Alongside Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia have also contributed constructively. We regard this as a manifestation of goodwill that benefits, above all, the individuals suffering from the conflict.

Regarding other potential avenues for Qatari endeavours, we do not anticipate any extraordinary steps. We await the moment when our European colleagues cease their falsehoods about Russia “blocking negotiations.” President Vladimir Putin has repeatedly refuted these deceitful claims, emphasising that it is the Ukrainian leadership – egged on by Europe – that has rejected negotiations. Beyond the widely cited decree by Vladimir Zelensky, which prohibits engagement in talks with the Russian Federation, we daily encounter assertions that negotiations must be deferred until superiority on the battlefield is secured. It is in this bellicose spirit that European nations continue to promote their hopelessly outdated and failed policies on Ukraine.

We maintain that the most effective contribution from those genuinely seeking to resolve the conflict lies in acknowledging its root causes. As US President Donald Trump recently stated in his addresses, NATO’s expansion and its attempt to absorb Ukraine into the alliance represent the gravest errors of the Joe Biden administration and key catalysts for this conflict.

Today, we again drew attention to another egregious cause persistently suppressed by the West until recently – and still being ignored. The policies of the regime that seized power via a state coup, which legislatively enforces the eradication of all things Russian, including in education, media, and culture. The recent ban on the canonical Ukrainian Orthodox Church constitutes a direct breach of the UN Charter, which mandates respect for human rights, particularly linguistic and religious. Western representatives remain silent on this matter.

Therefore, advancing this truth, disseminating the facts we consistently present, and comprehending the conflict’s origins will constitute the most valuable contribution any nation can make toward creating conditions for a just resolution.

Question: What are your expectations for future energy cooperation with Qatar?

Sergey Lavrov: Qatar is a major shareholder in Rosneft. This process remains robust. Doha serves as the headquarters for the Gas Exporting Countries Forum, a significant organisation that we hold in high regard for its role in maintaining harmony within the energy market, especially in the natural gas sector.

Projects between the Qatar Investment Authority and the Russian Direct Investment Fund amount to nearly $1 billion. Prospective projects hold even greater value. Certain of these arrangements may be directed toward novel forms of energy cooperation, which is to be agreed upon by relevant ministries and companies.

Question: President of France Emmanuel Macron said following talks with Donald Trump that the parties agreed on the need to deploy European peacekeeping forces in Ukraine after the end of the conflict. The Kremlin has repeatedly stated that Russia is not considering such a scenario. Provided it is not NATO troops, which European countries’ forces would Russia be ready to consider?

Sergey Lavrov: We cannot consider any such options. I do not know what President Emmanuel Macron was talking about. He did not play his role very convincingly in Washington.

When this subject came up at the news conference, President Donald Trump said that the decision to deploy peacekeeping forces could only be made with the consent of both sides. Apparently, referring to us and Ukraine. No one has asked us about it.

The approach that the Europeans, primarily France, as well as the British, are now trying to impose is again aimed at fanning the conflict further, suppressing any attempts to calm it down.

In Washington, Emmanuel Macron stated the need for an urgent ceasefire and the introduction of peacekeeping forces. According to him, the discussion about territories, people’s lives, and other parameters of the settlement can be withheld for later. This is cunning. We cannot possibly agree to an arrangement that is aimed at achieving one single goal – to pump Ukraine full of weapons again. On February 24, a large group of European officials visited Ukraine and again announced multibillion-dollar arms deliveries.

When the United States introduces a resolution on the urgent need to move towards peace, Europe votes against. Then they confirm with their deeds that they do not want peace, because their puppets have not yet fulfilled their mission. However, their mission seems to be different now. Until recently, it was a “strategic defeat” to be inflicted on Russia, something the European Union and NATO chanted every day like a spell. Now President Emmanuel Macron said in Washington that it is necessary to achieve a settlement that would not look like capitulation.

These Europeans switch gears quickly, but not always wisely. To reiterate, this discussion on peacekeeping forces is empty talk. It is essential to eliminate the root causes of the conflict, and peacekeeping forces, or lack thereof, is not one of them. The root causes have to do with Ukraine being dragged into the North Atlantic Alliance with an eye on using its territory to create a military infrastructure targeted at Russia, and the complete annihilation of the rights of Russians and Russian speakers.

Some suggest an idea of preserving the “line of contact.” First, this will not happen. Russia has a constitution based on the will of the people. Secondly, whatever is left of Ukraine should also be cleared of racist laws. Some of the people living there are more comfortable speaking Russian, and they want to preserve the traditions of their ancestors brought up in Russian culture.

Therefore, chewing over mere technicalities such as the deployment of troops will not bring us closer to an agreement. The discussion on the root causes cannot be avoided forever.

Question: Earlier, Reuters reported that Moscow is considering a scenario in which its frozen assets would be allocated for Ukraine’s reconstruction, provided that a portion is designated for the needs of Russia’s new regions – the DPR, the LPR, and the Zaporozhye and Kherson Regions. Is Russia genuinely exploring this possibility, or will it insist on the full return of its assets?

Washington and Kiev are preparing to sign an agreement on rare earth metals, while a significant share of these resources is located within the four new regions of Russia. During the meeting in Riyadh and subsequent consultations, did you discuss extraction in these territories with the United States? When President Vladimir Putin invited American companies to operate in Russia, did this include the four regions?

Sergey Lavrov: When the President or any representative of the Russian leadership invites foreign investors to participate in projects on Russian territory, they naturally refer to the entire territory of the Russian Federation, in full accordance with its Constitution.

This issue was not raised or discussed during the meeting in Riyadh. The conversation centred on the need – as emphasised in the telephone call between Presidents Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump – to remove artificial obstacles to the development of mutually beneficial economic and other ties, which representatives of relevant business communities in the United States and the Russian Federation have an interest in. However, this is a principle. The unhealthy, absurd situation that currently prevents even dialogue between two leading great powers must first be rectified.

Regarding our assets stolen by the Europeans: no concrete discussions have taken place on this matter, but there is no doubt that, as part of any settlement, this issue will naturally remain relevant. The Americans understand this as well.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio recently stated that the issue of frozen Russian assets must be considered in conjunction with the retaliatory measures adopted by the Russian Federation affecting American companies’ interests. This is a sound reflection on the necessity of abandoning thieving methods and not expecting them to go unanswered.

Another noteworthy remark came from French President Emmanuel Macron, who revealed a lot. When asked about this same topic, he declared that Russian assets seized in Europe must not be touched, as this would violate international law. However, the profits generated from these assets could well be used to support Ukraine.

We would like to request our French colleagues clarify which international legal instrument permits the use of profits derived from stolen property.

Question: You previously stated that resolving the issue of embassies – Russia’s in the USA and the USA’s in Russia – is a priority. Is there a structured approach or sequence of topics planned for further discussion? You mentioned that Marco Rubio is prepared to engage on this matter. Will the issue be resolved? Will Russia insist on the return of these assets?

Sergey Lavrov: This has no relation to embassy operations. The asset issue is a matter of state-level significance.

We have announced that our diplomats and high-level experts will meet to address systemic problems arising from the previous US administration’s unlawful efforts to create artificial barriers to the Russian embassy’s activities.

Naturally, we reciprocated by imposing similarly uncomfortable conditions for the US embassy in Moscow.

A meeting on this matter will take place tomorrow in Istanbul. Following its outcomes, we will gain clarity on the pace and effectiveness of our progress.

Question: How would you comment on the results of Germany’s elections? What are Russia’s expectations regarding Friedrich Merz’s policies?

Sergey Lavrov: We have already provided commentary. Our Ambassador to Berlin, Sergey Nechayev, has shared his assessments. We observe shifts in Germany’s domestic political landscape, with renewed divisions between the East and West of the country.

The East is more focused on addressing its internal challenges, which have been significantly exacerbated by Germany’s imprudent commitment to anti-Russian sanctions. This is compounded by Germany’s cowardly retreat following the terrorist attacks on the Nord Stream gas pipelines and the subsequent disgraceful cessation of the investigation. Such actions have undermined the robust foundations of the German economy, which had long enabled it to spearhead European progress for several decades. This is their choice. We believe voters are beginning to better grasp the situation and the positions of various actors.

As for Mr Friedrich Merz: he holds specific views on Russia. For instance, unlike Chancellor Olaf Scholz, he insisted on supplying Ukrainians with Taurus long-range missiles to strike deep into Russian territory. When Germans actively entertain such ideas, it inevitably evokes historical parallels. However, it is the Germans themselves who should be most prompted to reflect on these memories.

Mr Merz recently asserted that the United States can no longer be relied upon. He suggested that the US will either retract or refrain from using its nuclear umbrella, necessitating a new agreement among Europeans (within the EU and NATO) for France and Britain – as nuclear powers – to provide Europe’s nuclear umbrella henceforth. The implications of this for stabilising the situation in Europe require no elaboration.

Thus, Mr Merz currently adopts rather aggressive views. Often, when a candidate transitions into an active political leadership role – in this case, as Chancellor – their perspectives become more realistic. We will observe whether this occurs should Mr Friedrich Merz assume the office of German Chancellor.

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