Moscow: Several political experts and analysts have underscored the significance of the visit by HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani to the Russian capital, Moscow, arguing that the visit comes at a critical juncture marked by accelerating geopolitical shifts and intensifying regional tensions, particularly amid the ongoing war in the Gaza Strip and the continued conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
According to Qatar News Agency, the experts emphasized that the visit holds strategic weight in both its timing and substance reflecting not only the strength of Qatari-Russian bilateral relations but also Qatar’s growing role in mediation efforts aimed at resolving international crises and bolstering global security and stability.
In this context, international relations expert and consultant Dr. Ahmed Ghaith Al Kuwari underscored the exceptional significance of the visit by HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani to Moscow, noting that it surpasses previous visits in importance due to the rapid developments unfolding on both the regional and international fronts. Dr. Al Kuwari said that discussions during the visit are expected to focus on ways to enhance bilateral cooperation in the energy and investment sectors, in addition to discussing key developments on the international scene.
However, the visit’s true significance stems from the delicate circumstances facing the Middle East, particularly in the occupied Palestinian territories, the Gaza Strip, the crisis in Syria, and the repercussions of the Russian-Ukrainian crisis. He highlighted the alignment between Qatari and Russian positions on several key matters, most notably their mutual rejection of attempts to forcibly displace the Palestinian people from their land, an issue that Moscow has described as a “time bomb” threatening regional stability.
He stressed that Qatari-Russian relations are built on the foundations of trust and mutual respect. These distinguished relations have enabled the two sides to cooperate on sensitive diplomatic issues, particularly those requiring political and humanitarian mediation, such as the exchange of prisoners and hostages, and ceasefires in conflict zones. This reflects the constants of Qatari foreign policy, which are based on respect for the sovereignty of states, adherence to the UN Charter, commitment to international law, and the pursuit of peaceful solutions to settle disputes.
In turn, Dr. Hawas Taqiyah, Supervisor of the Gulf Studies Unit at the Al Jazeera Centre for Studies, highlighted the particular sensitivity of the visit’s timing, given the recent Israeli escalations in both Syria and Gaza. He warned that further escalation could destabilize the entire region. Dr. Taqiyah suggested that the visit could pave the way for strategic alignment between Qatar and Russia, particularly in supporting the stability of the modern Syrian state by countering attempts at destabilization from actors affiliated with the former regime.
Such cooperation, he noted, would allow Russia to preserve its strategic interests in Syria while complementing Qatar’s efforts to promote regional security in coordination with the current Syrian government. He also pointed to the potential for Doha and Moscow to coordinate efforts to halt Israeli aggression in Gaza and prevent any attempts at forced displacement. Dr. Taqiyah stressed the importance of the Russian role in this regard, in alignment with Qatar’s humanitarian approach to protecting civilians and fostering opportunities for peace and stability across the region.
For his part, Dr. Liqaa Makki, a researcher at the Al Jazeera Center for Studies, remarked that HH the Amir’s visit gains additional importance against the backdrop of current global political challenges. He noted that Russia, along with Qatar and Iran, is one of the world’s leading gas producers making trilateral coordination among these nations both a strategic and economic imperative. Dr. Makki added that energy cooperation remains a cornerstone of Qatari-Russian relations.
He further highlighted Qatar’s stature as a reliable international mediator, citing its successful diplomatic engagements in Afghanistan and the Horn of Africa, among others. He emphasized that Qatar is well-positioned to contribute to de-escalation efforts between Russia and Ukraine, while continuing its mediation to end the war in Gaza. Given Moscow’s influence over several key regional actors, including Iran, the visit also presents an opportunity for meaningful dialogue on the Israeli escalation in Gaza.
Meanwhile, Dr. Fouad Al Qaisi, a lecturer at the Doha Institute for Graduate Studies, described the visit as strategically significant in light of the prevailing regional and international political and economic landscape. He noted that the visit comes amid major developments, including shifts in the U.S. stance on the Ukraine war, the consequences of Israeli aggression on Gaza, and mounting indicators of a global economic downturn that could affect the energy sector.
Dr. Al Qaisi added that the visit reflects the mutual desire of both countries to deepen their bilateral ties, which have gained momentum this year. He pointed to high-level exchanges, including the visit of the Russian Foreign Minister to Doha in February and the subsequent visit by the Russian First Deputy Prime Minister in March, as clear signs of the two sides’ shared ambition to enhance cooperation, particularly in the domains of energy and diplomacy. He concluded by emphasizing that HH the Amir’s visit to Moscow aligns with Qatar’s pivotal role in international mediation and its steadfast commitment to advancing peace efforts worldwide.