On the background of Ukraine’s opposition to full-scale russian military aggression, Qatar supports the territorial integrity and sovereignty of our country. Doha has repeatedly stated the need to comply with international law and the principles of the UN Charter.

Although Qatar has not officially condemned russian aggression, its practical steps demonstrate its support for Ukraine in the humanitarian and military spheres. The country provides significant humanitarian support to Ukrainians and mediates important issues related to the war against russia.

In July 2023, Qatar provided $100 million for humanitarian projects in Ukraine, including in the areas of medicine, education, and demining, as well as 50 scholarships for Ukrainian students to study at Qatar University.

Since July 2023, Qatar has been acting as an intermediary for the repatriation of children to Ukraine. The country actively facilitates the return of Ukrainian children illegally deported to russia. Since then, more than 50 Ukrainian children have been returned home. In June 2024, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy visited Qatar for talks with Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and expressed gratitude for the assistance in this matter.

At the same time, the State of Qatar plays a key role in supporting Ukrainian families affected by russian aggression, in particular through the organization of the Rehabilitation and Recovery Program. This initiative is aimed at providing comprehensive assistance to families who have been reunited through the efforts of the Office of the Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights within the framework of the President’s action plan “Bring Kids Back UA”. The main aspects of the Program are: providing full medical examination for children and their parents or guardians; providing psychological assistance and social adaptation to overcome traumatic experiences; organizing events to get acquainted with the culture and traditions of Qatar, which helps to broaden the worldview and positive emotions. As of April 2024, 16 Ukrainian children together with their parents or legal guardians have already benefited from this program.

In addition, Qatar has expressed its readiness to mediate the release of Ukrainian civilians illegally detained in the temporarily occupied territories and in russia.

The Arab country also supports the humanitarian program “Grain from Ukraine” and has allocated $20 million for its implementation. This initiative was launched by Ukraine to supply food to countries suffering from hunger, particularly in Africa and Asia. The program is part of the Black Sea Grain Initiative and aims to ensure global food security. Qatar is one of the key partners, along with the EU, USA, Germany and other countries supporting this initiative.

The Middle Eastern country’s leadership will transfer 12 of its 24 Panzerhaubitze 2000 tracked self-propelled howitzers worth more than $150 million to Ukraine, replacing them with new RCH 155 artillery systems purchased from Germany. The transfer of these systems to Ukraine will significantly strengthen Ukraine’s artillery power due to their advanced characteristics – high rate of fire, accuracy of guidance and range.

The development of mutually beneficial trade and economic cooperation also remains an important priority for the two countries. An analysis of export and import operations of Dnipropetrovsk region with Qatar shows a growing level of partnership.

In 2023, the volume of exports of goods from Dnipropetrovsk region to Qatar amounted to $7.6 million and increased by 38.2% compared to 2022. Qatari companies were most likely to buy ferrous metal products, fats and vegetable oils, edible fruits and nuts, etc. The region’s share is 33.6% of Ukraine’s total exports to Qatar.

6 companies in Dnipropetrovsk region exported their products to the Qatari market, including agricultural, light industry and metallurgical enterprises.

Imports of goods from Qatar to Dnipropetrovsk region increased by 35.5% compared to 2022 and amounted to $4.2 million. The region’s share in all-Ukrainian imports from Qatar is 12.4%.

4 companies from the region’s importers purchased plastics and polymeric materials, inorganic chemicals, and machinery and equipment.

Source: information for this article was taken from open online sources