President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy called on energy-supplying countries, including Qatar, to increase energy production in order to deprive Russia of opportunities for energy blackmail and thus contribute to stabilizing the situation in Europe. He stated this during a speech in the format of a video conference at the Doha Forum – 2022.
The Head of State addressed the participants of the event: "The topic of this year's forum in the beautiful, peaceful and respectful city of Doha is the challenges for the new era. But, unfortunately, not everyone on our planet perceives reality adequately and understands that we need to prepare for new times. Russia, as we see, wants a time when peaceful coexistence of nations on equal terms was impossible on earth. Can we allow this?”
He stressed that after a full-scale attack by Russia, which is 28 times bigger, Ukraine has been defending itself on the battlefield and couldn’t find justice in the world for 31 days already. Russia, on the other hand, is threatening to use nuclear weapons, spreading this fear on the planet and "boasting that it can destroy not only a nation, but also life on earth with nuclear weapons."
Volodymyr Zelenskyy stressed the need for real reform of international institutions and UN mechanisms to ensure security.
"So that someone 28 times bigger does not think he can do anything he wants. And that the nuclear status of the state does not serve as a permit for any injustice against other states," the President said.
According to the President, Ukraine is a country of diversity and peaceful coexistence of ethnic groups and religions. More than a million Muslims live in our country, who are now also suffering from Russian bombing.
"In 31 days of this war, Russian strikes damaged at least 59 buildings of spiritual significance. Mosques, churches, religious educational institutions. More than 200 schools were destroyed or damaged. Dozens of hospitals. Russia does not stop even before the bombing of hospitals! Russian troops purposefully strike at places that ordinary civilians use as shelter," the President said.
According to Volodymyr Zelenskyy, during the Russian invasion, about 10 million people, mostly women with children, have already become migrants in Ukraine, and more than 3.5 million Ukrainian citizens have been forced to go abroad in search of security.
The food crisis will come after the migration crisis, said the President. After all, Ukraine is one of the world's most important food exporters.
"Wheat, oil, corn and other agricultural products from our country are the basis of stability and internal security of many countries in different parts of the world… 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? Our state will have enough food. But the lack of exports from Ukraine will hit many nations in the Islamic world, Latin America and other parts of the world. Where some invaders still dream of going to strengthen their old privileges," Volodymyr Zelenskyy stressed.
He urged to unite the efforts to prevent food shortages in the world due to the war. In particular, by strengthening the sanctions policy against Russia.
"All the restrictions that have been imposed on Russia are aimed at only one thing: for Russia to start seeking peace, so that it does not pose global threats. I call on all states to join. Russia must seek peace. It must end the war against Ukraine. It must stop all attempts to break global stability and return to the world the old disgusting habits of those who sought colonies and instilled inequality," said the President.
Also, in his opinion, the refusal of European countries to purchase Russian oil and gas is only a matter of time.
"The responsible states, in particular the State of Qatar, are reliable and reputable suppliers of energy resources. And they can contribute to stabilizing the situation in Europe. They can do much to restore justice. The future of Europe depends on your efforts! I urge you to increase energy production! So that Russia understands that no state should use energy as a weapon to blackmail the world," the President of Ukraine stressed.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy called on the whole anti-war coalition to work even harder for Russia to seek peace.
"So that people in the world can really prepare for new times, for a new era. Instead of thinking about how to adapt to the return of the old horrors: wars of invasion, famine and despair that leads to uprisings," the President summed up.